© 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 | 2024-10-08 |
| Numista | N#336590 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 95% |
Reverse
Shield of arms of Coventry, an elephant bearing a castle on it’s back, dividing date below. Above the shield is the crest of a cat, stagnant, gardant, legend around.
Script: Latin
Lettering:
THE ARMS OF COVENTRY
P KEMPSON FECIT.
17 97
Engraver: Peter Kempson
Edge
Plain with incuse lettering
Script: Latin
Lettering: ~~~~ COVENTRY ~~~ TOKEN
Comment
The new Coventry Cross was completed in 1544. It was brightly painted, and covered with gold. The city treasurer's accounts of 1545 include the entry "To Matthew Gilder for gildyng the cross £8 6s. 8p." The nearby Golden Cross public house, erected some 40 years later at 8 Hay Lane, was probably named after it, as well as the 16th-century Coventry Cross public house at 29 Cross Cheaping.Ref: Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coventry_Cross
Interesting fact
The A Token ½ Penny (Warwickshire - Coventry / Kempson’s) 1797 coin from the United Kingdom is interesting because it was created during a time of currency shortages and was used as a substitute for the official coinage of the country. It was made of copper, which was a more accessible material than the precious metals used in official coins, and it was issued by private companies and individuals, known as token issuers, who were authorized by the government to produce these tokens. This coin is a rare example of a token that was issued during this time period and is highly sought after by collectors today.
