© ABC Coins & Tokens
© ABC Coins & Tokens
½ Penny Middlesex - London / Guest’s
1795 year| Copper | 9.03 g | 28.91 mm |
| Issuer | United Kingdom (United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies) |
|---|---|
| Type | Token |
| Year | 1795 |
| Value | ½ Penny (1⁄480) |
| Currency | Conder tokens (1787-1797) |
| Composition | Copper |
| Weight | 9.03 g |
| Diameter | 28.91 mm |
| Thickness | 1.74 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Technique | Milled |
| Orientation | Coin alignment ↑↓ |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-09 |
| Numista | N#53477 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 87% |
Reverse
A boot, shoe and lady's slipper, legend around, denomination and date in exergue
Script: Latin
Lettering:
NO. 9. SURRY ST. BLACKFRIARS ROAD
HALFPENNY
1795
Edge
Inscripted
NOTE: varieties exist
Lettering: PAYABLE AT LONDON . + . + . + . + . + .
Comment
Guest was a boot and shoe maker and wholesale manufacturer of ladies’ shoes, who had a business at No. 9 Surrey Street, now Blackfriars Road, on the Surrey side of the Thames. It appears that he subsequently became a chemist and invented a preparation styled the ”Guestonian Medicine”, which he sold from the same address.Interesting fact
One interesting fact about the Token ½ Penny (Middlesex - London / Guest’s) 1795 from United Kingdom is that it was issued during a time of severe coinage shortages in the country. The British government was unable to produce enough coins to meet the demands of the growing economy, leading to the issuance of private tokens like this one. This coin was issued by a private company, Guest's, and was used as a substitute for the official halfpenny coin. Despite being made of copper, which was a less valuable metal than the silver used in official coins, the Token ½ Penny was widely accepted and used in everyday transactions. This fact highlights the resourcefulness and adaptability of the British people during a time of economic challenge.
