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18th Century Halfpenny Token, Coventry, Warwickshire
View larger image © Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery Additional ImagesClick on each image below to view at full size: |
Basic Information | Accession Number: | 1885N1526.242 |
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Collection: | Coins & Medals |
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Date: | 1792 - 1792 |
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Maker Information | : | Coventry Mint - View history |
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Notes | In the late 18th century the Royal Mint did not make enough low value coins to satisfy the growing demand for small change. As a result, many towns and cities started producing their own token money. This halfpenny token was issued at Coventry in Warwickshire. It depicts the famous story of Lady Godiva, who supposedly rode naked through the streets to win a reduction in the city’s taxes from her husband, Earl Leofric. The reverse shows that the die cutter had clearly never seen a real elephant!
| Purchased from John Staunton, William Staunton Collection, 1875. |
Further Information | Reign: | King George III |
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Production Period: | Georgian |
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Material(s): | Copper |
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Denomination: | 1/2d Halfpenny |
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Currency: | Coventry/England |
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Place of Origin: | Coventry, Warwickshire, England |
Associated People | | Associated Places | | Associated Organisations | | Dimensions | Diameter: | 29.5 mm |
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