© Greg Laws (CC BY-NC)
© Greg Laws (CC BY-NC)
½ Penny Somerset - Bath / F. Heath
1794 year| Copper | 9.0 g | 29.2 mm |
| Issuer | United Kingdom (United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies) |
|---|---|
| King | George III (1760-1820) |
| Type | Token |
| Year | 1794 |
| Value | ½ Penny (1⁄480) |
| Currency | Conder tokens (1787-1797) |
| Composition | Copper |
| Weight | 9.0 g |
| Diameter | 29.2 mm |
| Thickness | 1.5 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Orientation | Coin alignment ↑↓ |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-09 |
| Numista | N#361667 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 93% |
Reverse
A lion-faced tea urn with legend around, name and date in exergue.
Script: Latin
Lettering:
IRONMONGERY BRAZIERY & CUTLERY .
F. HEATH .
1794
Edge
Plain with incuse lettering.
Note: plain edge variety exists (see below)
Lettering: PAYABLE BY F. HEATH BATH
Comment
An 18th Century token of medical interest. This same merchant issued several tokens showing Bladud, the mythical founder of Bath, and inscribed "Success to the Bath waters". The West front of the new Pump Room at Bath is well portrayed in the token of Heath the ironmonger in 1795 (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) 1794 from United Kingdom is that it was issued during a time of severe coinage shortages in the late 18th century. To address this issue, many private token issuers, such as Francis Heath, were authorized to produce copper tokens that could be used as small change. This particular coin is a rare example of one of these tokens, which features an image of a shield with a crown on top and the initials "F.H." on the reverse side. Its unique design and historical significance make it a valuable collector's item for numismatists today.
