Welcome to Coin Talk! Register Now, it's easy and FREE!

Thousands of coin collectors, numismatists, coin dealers, bullion investors, and enthusiasts make Coin Talk their number one source for numismatic news, information about US and world coins, discussions and community.

You are currently viewing Coin Talk as a guest, which limits your access to content, contests and information. By joining our free community, you will be able to join in discussions, contact other members, place free advertisements, enter contests, and much more. Registration is easy and free. Register Now

CoinTalk > Coin Forums > Coin Chat Going Postal?

User Name Remember Me? Password

LinkBack Thread Tools Rate Thread Display Modes 12-18-2008, 02:17 AM   #1 (permalink) Catbert .     Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 1,447 My Mood: Going Postal? Certainly, this proprietor did back in c1794. That is, Christopher Ibberson ran a postal service to all of England out of his tavern and boarding house, the George and Blue Boar inn located in Holborn, London (West End). I have an advertising half penny token that I have bought that I want to share with you! Old courthouse records show that the George & Blue Boar was well known locally. In September 1796, Charles Scoldwell stood trial for the theft of two tame ducks, valued at 3 shillings. During cross-examination, the driver of the stage coach from Bedford, who had brought Scoldwell to London, was asked: Is there a more public inn in Holborn, or more coaches go from any inn, except the George and Blue-Boar? to which he replied 'I don’t believe so.' In any event Scoldwell got more transportation than he had bargained for. This is a bronzed proof copper token made by Matthew Boulton who aspired to obtain business from the Royal Mint. Boulton was a perfectionist and invested heavily in steam powered manufacturing of tokens. Ibberson had ordered half a ton of tokens in December of 1794, or about 32,000 pieces. However, the order was halted in February of 1795 so the actual number made is in question, especially a bronzed proof version like mine. Many token manufacturers made this sort of proof, to more or less coat the flans pre-striking with a brilliant bronzed shell, which fused with the internal copper when struck. Bronzing (resulting in the dark chocolate color - very popular then) is far more resistant to spotting, accounting for the coiner's intension to preserve original beauty in the fairly wet UK climate. The seller's pictures do not do justice to the token’s strong mirror surfaces and gleam in hand (I tried to capture the mirror finish in my pic that follows the seller's): The obverse shows St. George fighting a dragon on the ground with a fat boar crest above. The "J" in Ibberson's is old script for upper-case "I," with which it is interchangeable. I am not sure where or when that originated, but it is a frequent style in many old books and writings, and from many countries. The reverse inscription is encircled by laurel branches. The token’s edge is inscribed “Payable at the George & Blue Boar London”. I am really enjoying collecting these old British tokens. Do you like this one?   12-18-2008, 02:35 AM   #2 (permalink) Harryj Supporter**   Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 1,931 My Mood: Good reading, Thanks Catbert! __________________   12-18-2008, 02:38 AM   #3 (permalink) Hobo Numismatist In Training     Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 5,027 My Mood: Wow! That is a great looking token. Thanks for the history and explanation of how the token was made. __________________ No state shall emit bills of credit, make any thing but gold and silver coin a tender in payment of debts, coin money . . . - US Constitution, Article 1, Section 10 ANA LM-3799; OHNS LM-59; SUSCC R-4005. All coins stored in bank safe deposit box.   12-18-2008, 02:52 AM   #4 (permalink) huntsman53 Supporter**   Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Jefferson City, Tennessee Posts: 3,008 Catbert, That is one really nice token! Thanks for sharing it and the great history behind it! Frank   12-18-2008, 05:09 AM   #5 (permalink) sketcherpbr Enthusiast     Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Tennessee Posts: 662 coolest thing EVER __________________ Monetary values amount to nothing in the face of a coin that's survived centuries to make it into my hand.   12-18-2008, 07:12 AM   #6 (permalink) De Orc P & R COMMISSAR     Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: London. UK Posts: 8,095 My Mood: As someone who knows Holborn rather well I find this token quite facinating and very eye appealing as well, another little bit of history for you regarding the George and Blue Boar Inn situated at 270, High Holborn, it used to be the last house of call for refreshment by criminals on their way to Tyburn to be hanged Great story Catburt __________________ My Notes 1176 to date 02/06/09 http://www.banknotebank.com/?collection=De-Orc My Coins 2168 to date 02/06/09 http://www.omnicoin.com/?collection=De-Orc   12-18-2008, 07:16 AM   #7 (permalink) nickelman Coin Hoarder     Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Top of Virginia Posts: 965 Great read. Thanks __________________ My collection (part of it anyway)http://www.omnicoin.com/user_view.aspx?id=Nickelman "IN GOD WE TRUST" Escapee from the Peoples Republic of Massachusetts!   12-18-2008, 09:34 PM   #8 (permalink) Catbert .     Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 1,447 My Mood: Quote: Originally Posted by De Orc As someone who knows Holborn rather well I find this token quite facinating and very eye appealing as well, another little bit of history for you regarding the George and Blue Boar Inn situated at 270, High Holborn, it used to be the last house of call for refreshment by criminals on their way to Tyburn to be hanged Great story Catburt De Orc - that's a nice extra bit of trivia and I thank you for posting it. Part of the fun for me in collecting these is learning all I can about their history and/or the events surrounding their mintage. Someday I will visit London and England and take in that wonderful country while getting a first hand look at the counties that these tokens represent. On the other hand, I could buy a lot of tokens for the airfare! Thanks for all the nice comments. As I collect these, I'll post some more on new pieces with the hope that I won't bore you.   12-19-2008, 12:49 AM   #9 (permalink) mark_h Numismatist     Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 6,030 Good post - I like the look of that token. __________________ the other mark Best Baan Community Empty airtite seeks unwanted coins. All sizes welcome.   Bookmarks Digg del.icio.us StumbleUpon Google Would you like to support CoinTalk? Coin Talk Code of Honor 1. Post unto others as you would have them post unto you. 2. Keep it clean, like a 1950s family television show. 3. If you don't like the coin, don't trash the person. « What if silver spot goes to 50 + | Bid Blocking Software used on eBay! » Thread Tools Show Printable Version Email this Page Display Modes Rate This Thread Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode Rate This Thread: 5 : Excellent 4 : Good 3 : Average 2 : Bad 1 : Terrible Posting Rules You may not post new threads You may not post replies You may not post attachments You may not edit your posts BB code is On Smilies are On [IMG] code is On HTML code is Off Trackbacks are On Pingbacks are On Refbacks are On Forum Rules Similar Threads Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post Postal Orders of the British Commonwealth - New Zealand. Aidan Work Paper Money 0 06-25-2007 03:37 AM Indian Postal Orders. Aidan Work Paper Money 5 06-24-2007 11:08 PM Postal Orders of the British Commonwealth - Ireland. Aidan Work Paper Money 4 06-24-2007 10:57 PM Postal Orders & Postal Notes. Aidan Work Paper Money 4 04-19-2007 05:55 AM British Armed Forces Postal Orders wanted. Aidan Work Open 0 02-01-2005 10:46 PM LinkBack LinkBack URL About LinkBacks

» Newsletter Sign up for CoinTalk's Newsletter enter your email address below. » Unanswered Posts Do You Have the Answer? » Sponsors » Recent Posts 2009 american buffalo... Anyone recognize this... Taking Inventory...OMG Baltimore/ Mid-Atlantic... My Purchases from... Anyone seen this... german coin help?????? 1880S morgan w/ pics How many Ancient... This Little Dime of... 1916-P Toned Buffalo Paper wrapped pennies... Recent collection Facebook 1942-P Proof WDDR-003... Milk spots and grading? ... NGC PR 70 Coin Set... Today is my birthday new... Linc Pennies Playboy Enterprises ... » Today's Top Posters Top Posters in Last 1 Days tmoneyeagles [74] green18 [25] stainless [20] krispy [16] pappy-o [16] raider34 [16] Phil Ham [15] Treashunt [14] GDJMSP [14] boxerchip [13]