© GT Foreman (CC BY-NC)
© GT Foreman (CC BY-NC)
½ Penny Somerset - Dunkirk
1795 year| Copper | - | 28.82 mm |
| Issuer | United Kingdom (United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies) |
|---|---|
| King | George III (1760-1820) |
| Type | Token |
| Year | 1795 |
| Value | ½ Penny (1⁄480) |
| Currency | Conder tokens (1787-1797) |
| Composition | Copper |
| Diameter | 28.82 mm |
| Thickness | 2 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Technique | Milled |
| Orientation | Coin alignment ↑↓ |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-09 |
| Numista | N#326577 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 97% |
Reverse
Front view of a large building, legend above, and below with date.
Script: Latin
Lettering:
DUNKIRK
SOMT.
FACTORY
1795
Edge
Milled to right //////
Comment
According to Charles Pye some 5 cwt. of this issue were struck, although there are two other varieties with different edge finishes (DH#107, 109).Examination of some early maps of Somerset shows the former existence of an area or old site marked as Dunkirk or Dunkirke situated within the parish of Freshford. At this picturesque village five miles from Bath may be found abundant evidence of a clothing industry which has now disappeared. Some weavers' cottages are still to be seen and two old cloth mills still exist, one being now a rubber factory.
For more detail on this token series, please read the British Numismatic Society article here.
Interesting fact
The A Token ½ Penny (Somerset - Dunkirk) 1795 coin from the United Kingdom is interesting because it was created as a response to a coin shortage during the late 18th century. At that time, the British government was unable to produce enough coins to meet the demands of the economy, so private companies and individuals began minting their own coins, known as tokens, to fill the gap. This particular coin was minted by a company in Somerset and features a unique design, including an image of a ship on the reverse side, which represents the town's maritime history. Despite being minted over 200 years ago, some of these coins still exist today and are highly sought after by collectors.
