© 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#336878 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 95% |
Reverse
Shield of arms of Coventry, an elephant bearing a castle on it’s back, dividing the 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
Incuse lettering
Note: plain edge variety exists
Script: Latin
Lettering: ~~~~ COVENTRY ~~~ TOKEN
Comment
This token is one of a series of Peter Kempson Conders based upon Coventry landmarks. Ford's Hospital was a 16th century half-timbered almshouse in Greyfriars Lane, Coventry https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford's_HospitalA similar type exists (DH#294) with the same obverse and an image of Handel (rev. no. 5) on the reverse.
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 surviving example of one of these tokens, providing a unique glimpse into the economic and monetary history of the time.
