1 Penny Stockton - Christopher and Jennett

Reverse

Centre circle of a sunk field containing Britannia seated left, holding olive branch and trident, a shield at her side, ship lower left in distance, with blank exergue. Incuse lettering around on raised broad border.

Script: Latin

Lettering:
BRITANNIA
* ONE PENNY TOKEN *

Edge

Centre grained

Comment

1813 Great Britain Christopher & Jennett Stockton Railway Penny Token.
According to Thomas Richmond, in his “Local Records of Stockton”, Christopher and Jennett issued a series of tokens in 1812-13. Small change was in short supply as so much silver had been used to pay for England’s wars against France. So all low value tokens were issued in copper instead of silver. As well as the one penny token, C&J also issued tokens for a halfpenny as well as six pence, and one shilling.
 Back in the late 1700's and early 1800's there was a shortage of small change, pennies and halfpennies etc so the government allowed local businesses all over the country to mint their own coins for local use. There are literally hundreds of different types of these coins, depicting different local scenes etc along with the names of the people who minted them. This was also a good form of advertising. The names on the Stockton coin were of a local firm of printers, publishers and booksellers.
 Looking closely it can be actually seen someone travelling across the bridge on horseback. This was built in 1764-69 and was demolished in 1887 to be replaced by the Victoria bridge. Note the old stone bridge had five arches to it.
 Issued late in the reign of King George III.

Interesting fact