© ZacUK
© ZacUK
½ Penny Somerset - Bath / F. Heath
1795 year| Copper | 9.74 g | 31 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 | 9.74 g |
| Diameter | 31 mm |
| Thickness | 1.5 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Technique | Milled |
| Orientation | Coin alignment ↑↓ |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-09 |
| Numista | N#109249 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 89% |
Reverse
A public building frontage. Lettering above, and below with date, lettering around
Script: Latin
Lettering:
WEST FRONT OF NEW PUMP ROOM
BATH.
HEATH · 1795
IRONMONGER · & c ·
Edge
Diagonal milling ////
NOTE: plain edge variety exists
Comment
An 18th Century token of medical interest. The West front of the new Pump Room at Bath is well portrayed in the token of Heath the ironmonger in 1795. This same merchant issued tokens showing Bladud, the mythical founder of Bath, and inscribed "Success to the Bath waters".Catalogues: (Conder p.133, 18; Pye p.5, 10; Virt p.49; Atkins p.173, 32; D&H Somersetshire 40)
Interesting fact
One interesting fact about the Token ½ Penny (Somerset - Bath / F. Heath) 1795 from United Kingdom is that it was issued during a time of severe coinage shortages in the late 18th century. The coin was minted by Francis Heath, a merchant in Bath, Somerset, who was authorized by the government to issue tokens to alleviate the shortage of small change. The coin's design features the image of a crowned shield with the initials "FH" below it, signifying Heath's authority to issue the token. This coin is a rare example of a privately minted token that was used as a substitute for official currency during a time of economic need.
