© ABC Coins & Tokens
© ABC Coins & Tokens
½ Penny Middlesex - For General Convenience
1797 year| Copper | - | 28 mm |
| Issuer | United Kingdom (United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies) |
|---|---|
| Type | Token |
| Year | 1797 |
| Value | ½ Penny (1⁄480) |
| Currency | Conder tokens (1787-1797) |
| Composition | Copper |
| Diameter | 28 mm |
| Thickness | 1 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Technique | Milled |
| Demonetized | 1797 |
| Updated | 2024-10-08 |
| Numista | N#83589 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 88% |
Reverse
Britannia seated to left on ball. Union shield behind, holding spear in left hand and olive branch in right hand.
Script: Latin
Lettering:
* * RULE BRITANIA * *
1797
Edge
Part engrailed, part with lettering
Lettering: PAYABLE IN LONDON
Comment
Political and Social Series London (Middlesex) copper Conder halfpenny token dated 1797.Knight and Britannia Convenience London Halfpenny 1797.
Note that Britannia is mis-spelled on the reverse as Britania.
Interesting fact
One interesting fact about the Token ½ Penny (Middlesex - For General Convenience) 1797 from United Kingdom is that it was issued during a time of severe coinage shortages in the country. The British government had difficulty producing enough coins to meet the demand of the growing economy, leading to the issuance of privately minted tokens like this one. These tokens were accepted as legal tender and played an important role in the economy of the time.
