© GT Foreman (CC BY-NC)
© GT Foreman (CC BY-NC)
½ Penny Warwickshire - Coventry / Kempson's
1797 year| Copper | - | 28.5 mm |
| Issuer | United Kingdom (United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies) |
|---|---|
| King | George III (1760-1820) |
| Type | Token |
| Year | 1797 |
| Value | ½ Penny (1⁄480) |
| Currency | Conder tokens (1787-1797) |
| Composition | Copper |
| Diameter | 28.5 mm |
| Thickness | 3 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Technique | Milled |
| Orientation | Coin alignment ↑↓ |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-09 |
| Numista | N#325734 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 95% |
Reverse
Arms of Coventry, an elephant bearing a castle on it’s back. Above the shield is the crest of a cat, stagnant, gardant.
Script: Latin
Lettering:
THE ARMS OF COVENTRY
P KEMPSON FECIT.
17 97
Engraver: Peter Kempson
Edge
Smooth with lettering
Lettering: ~~~~COVENTRY~~~~TOKEN
Comment
This token is one of a series of Peter Kempson Conders based upon Coventry landmarks.DH#269 is this pictured coin; DH#270 has a similar obverse but a different reverse a left-hand facing portrait of Handel.
Interesting fact
The A Token ½ Penny (Warwickshire - Coventry / Kempson's) 1797 coin from the United Kingdom is interesting because 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 Kempson's, produced their own copper tokens to serve as small change. This coin is a rare example of a privately issued token that was used as an alternative to official currency during that time.
