Catbert's FUN Haul - (3) Bring the Cavalry!

**Catbert** · 01-15-2009, 02:35 AM

This is the 3rd of 4 new pieces from the Orlando FUN show that I acquired that I am posting here for y'all's consideration. And yes, it is another Conder token, but again, this one is very special to me since it replaces the same exact piece I had once owned (but had returned to the dealer because it had some unpleasant spots). I had been watching this token sit in a high end dealer’s inventory for awhile and had hoped it would be “on sale” at FUN – and so it was and I pounced.

This c1795 piece (D&H Norfolk #11) is considered to be a “private token”, meaning it was issued for collectors despite it being classified as a half penny. Their cost of production bore no relation to their face value and very few were minted of each type of collector token (in this particular die combination < 75 made).

This token is a mule joining two dies used on other tokens. The reverse is a common depiction of the mythical Sir Bevois who killed 30,000 with his magical sword (including giants!). I speculate that the lion on his shoulder likely represents one of two lions he slayed while protecting his lady love who was under attack (again part of the myth). The statement “For General Convenience” was probably an indication of the token having some trading value, though in this muling, it would not have been used as such.

The obverse is what compels me most. The token’s issuer was probably one of the members of the “Fifth Troop” of the Loyal Norfolk Yeomanry Cavalry. Blofield is a parish some eight miles east of Norwich. (R.C. Bell - “Tradesmen’s Tickets and Private Tokens 1785-1819”). Out of fear of Napoleon invading Britain, many men joined militia regiments. By 1805, 800,000 had committed themselves, that is, 20% of the male population in contrast to 7% in France.

I really like the musical instruments shown. One can imagine they were noisily played during a proper march!

This copper token, expertly captured in the seller’s pictures above, is mostly brown, but when tilted reveals the beautiful and vivid colors depicted.

As an aside, Mr. Coin Lover demanded

that I answer his question regarding what sparked my interest in Conder tokens. It started with seeing one in August 2008 at the St Charles/St. Louis show that I bought (Pidcock’s Birds and Beasts – see my picture album). The numerous varieties will never bore, they are readily available in wonderful condition, and they appeal to my curiosity to learn of the history of how and why they were made. I’ve had great fun studying the period and getting to the story behind these great examples of numismatic art.

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