© krezga (CC BY)
© krezga (CC BY)
Halfpenny - Hampshire Andover / Town
1666 year| Copper | 1.29 g | 16 mm |
| Issuer | England (United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies) |
|---|---|
| Type | Token |
| Year | 1666 |
| Value | ½ Penny (1⁄480) |
| Currency | English Trade Tokens (1648-72) |
| Composition | Copper |
| Weight | 1.29 g |
| Diameter | 16 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-08 |
| Numista | N#237276 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 94% |
Reverse
A cripple
Script: Latin
Lettering:
FOR. YE. POORES: BENEFIT
1/2
Edge
Plain
Comment
Such tokens were issued by tradesmen and town corporations to ease the dire shortage of small change that existed up to 1672. The town tokens also remedied a long felt need for poor relief. The Civil War had increased the numbers of the poor and needy in every town and the loss of the monasteries, abolished by Henry VIII, as a place of refuge for them was still keenly felt.Interesting fact
The A Token Halfpenny - Hampshire (Andover / Town) 1666 coin from England (United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies) made of Copper weighing 1.29 g is interesting because it was issued during a time of great economic upheaval in England, known as the "Great Recoinage" of 1666. This coin was one of the first coins issued with a new standardized design, which helped to combat the widespread counterfeiting that had become a major problem in the country. The coin's design featured a portrait of King Charles II on one side and a shield with the Hampshire coat of arms on the other. Despite its small denomination, the coin was made of copper, which was a valuable resource at the time, and its production required a significant amount of craftsmanship and attention to detail. Today, this coin is a rare and valuable collector's item, providing a fascinating glimpse into the economic and social history of 17th-century England.
