© ZacUK
© ZacUK
½ Penny Lancashire - Lancaster / John of Gaunt
1794 year| Copper | 9.05 g | 28.81 mm |
| Issuer | United Kingdom (United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies) |
|---|---|
| Type | Token |
| Year | 1794 |
| Value | ½ Penny (1⁄480) |
| Currency | Conder tokens (1787-1797) |
| Composition | Copper |
| Weight | 9.05 g |
| Diameter | 28.81 mm |
| Thickness | 1.76 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Technique | Milled |
| Orientation | Coin alignment ↑↓ |
| Demonetized | 1797 |
| Updated | 2024-10-09 |
| Numista | N#89902 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 79% |
Reverse
Arms of the Borough of Lancaster (gules, a lion passant guardant or; on a chief azure, a fleur-de-lys of the second). Surrounded by legend, date below. Toothed border
Script: Latin
Lettering:
LANCASTER HALFPENNY.
1794
Engraver: John Gregory Hancock
Edge
Various
Lettering: PAYABLE IN LANCASTER LONDON OR BRISTOL
Comment
Note: Another version (D&H 43 - Lancashire) only has HALFPENNY 1794 on reverse, so LANCASTER omitted.John of Ghent, or Gaunt, was the fourth son of Edward III, and born at Ghent about 1340. In the 36th year of this king's reign he "in full Parliament did gird his son John with a sword and set on his head a cap of furre, and upon the same a circle of gold and pearls, and named him Duke of Lancaster, and thereof gave to him and to his heires males of his body, and delivered him a charter."
In the 50th year of the same reign the king erected Lancaster into a county palatine. John of Gaunt also held the titles of Earl of Leicester, Lincoln, and Derby, and was the High Steward of England. His son by his first wife, Blanche, became Henry V.
Interesting fact
The A Token ½ Penny (Lancashire - Lancaster / John of Gaunt) 1794 from United Kingdom (United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies) made of Copper weighing 9.05 g is an interesting coin because it was issued during a time of great economic hardship in the United Kingdom, particularly in the north of England where the coin was minted. The coin was issued as a token coinage, which was a temporary substitute for the official currency that was in short supply at the time. The coin's design features the image of John of Gaunt, a powerful noble who played a significant role in the history of Lancashire, and the reverse side features the image of a castle, which represents the city of Lancaster. Despite its small denomination, the coin is a valuable piece of history and a testament to the resilience of the people of the United Kingdom during times of economic hardship.
