© GT Foreman (CC BY-NC)
© GT Foreman (CC BY-NC)
½ Penny Warwickshire - Coventry / Kempson’s ND
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#330826 |
|---|---|
| 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.
Note: with period after P
Script: Latin
Lettering:
THE ARMS OF COVENTRY
P.KEMPSON FECIT.
17 97
Engraver: Peter Kempson
Edge
Plain with incuse lettering.
Lettering: ~~~~ COVENTRY ~~~ TOKEN
Comment
This token is one of a series of Peter Kempson Conders based upon Coventry landmarks.Similar varieties exist: DH#276 has similar reverse but without the period after P and DH#278 has a portrait of Handel on the obverse.
Interesting fact
One interesting fact about the Token ½ Penny (Warwickshire - Coventry / Kempson’s) ND (1797) coin is that it was issued during a time of severe currency shortages in the United Kingdom, particularly in the rural areas. The coin was minted by a private individual, John Kempson, who was a merchant in Coventry, Warwickshire. The coin was made of copper and had a unique design, featuring an image of a shield with the initials "JK" on one side and the value "1/2P" on the other. The coin was not officially sanctioned by the government, but it was widely accepted as a means of exchange in the local area. This coin is now considered a rare and valuable collector's item, with some examples selling for thousands of pounds at auction.
