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18th Century Halfpenny Token, Coventry, Warwickshire

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© Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery

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Basic Information

Accession Number:1885N1526.242
Collection:Coins & Medals
Date:1792 - 1792

Maker Information

:Coventry Mint - View history

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
Production Period:Georgian
Material(s):Copper
Denomination:1/2d Halfpenny
Currency:Coventry/England
Place of Origin:Coventry, Warwickshire, England

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Dimensions

Diameter:29.5 mm