© Rare Coins and Tokens
© Rare Coins and Tokens
Halfpenny - Lincolnshire Grantham / Town
1667 year| Copper | 1.32 g | 18.48 mm |
| Issuer | England (United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies) |
|---|---|
| King | Charles II (1660-1685) |
| Type | Token |
| Year | 1667 |
| Value | ½ Penny (1⁄480) |
| Currency | English Trade Tokens (1648-72) |
| Composition | Copper |
| Weight | 1.32 g |
| Diameter | 18.48 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Orientation | Coin alignment ↑↓ |
| Demonetized | 1674 |
| Updated | 2024-10-09 |
| Numista | N#361257 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 95% |
Reverse
Date below name of town within inner beaded circle, legend around.
Script: Latin
Lettering:
BY.YE.OVERSEERS.OF.YE.POORE
GRAN
THAM
1667
Translation: By the overseers of the poor
Edge
Plain
Comment
Obverse die varieties:B-W#96 Arms of six rows 3,2,3,2,3,2; larger lettering;
B-W#97 Arms of six rows 3,3,3,3,3,3,2.
From the Boyne-Williamson catalogue:
“Dec. 20, 1667. Thomas Short, Alderman. Whereas, Mr. Alderman this day acquainted the court that several corporations have set forth brass halfpence with the towns arms on them, for the benefit of the poor of the said towns, and that it might be very advantageous to the Corporation to do likewise, and desired the court to take the same into their consideration. Whereupon the same court orders that the present Chamberlain do send to London for brass half-pence, with the chequer on the one side, and Grantham and the year of our Lord on the other side. And to be written about the rim, ‘To be exchanged by the Overseers of the Poor,’ and that the same may be obtained as soon as may be.”
Interesting fact
One interesting fact about the A Token Halfpenny - Lincolnshire (Grantham / Town) 1667 from England (United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies) made of Copper weighing 1.32 g is that it was issued during a time when there was a severe shortage of small denomination coins in circulation, leading to the use of private token coins like this one as a substitute for official currency.
