Coventry Half Penny or Lady Godiva and Peeping Tom On A Coin

Just a token really but it’s an interesting one. Dated 1795, it’s a Coventry Half Cent. Yes, they were used in circulation when coins were hard to get.

The obverse is Lady Godiva riding a horse. Notice her right hand is covering her bared breast. At least it’s not worn to bad. The words “PRO BONO PUBLICO” are around the rim from 9 to 3 o’clock. Meaning she’s naked in public.

The reverse is Gov. Cross in the tower peeping at her. His name is at 7-5 o’clock. From 8-4 o’clock are the words “COVENTRY HALFPENNY”. I consider this a wonderful neat addition to my collection.

 

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What's on the rim?

 

I got me one of those... can't resist a nekid woman on a horse lol...

 

Actually:
it means:

Pro bono publico (English: "for the public good"; usually shortened to pro bono) is a Latin phrase for professional work undertaken voluntarily and without payment. The term typically refers to provision of legal services by legal professionals for people who are unable to afford them.

 

It has a few small dings, otherwise smooth. Most of the obverse has small round denticles.

 

I'm sorry, I meant the edge, like this one on Numista: https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces20899.html

 

Wow, I need a 1793. She’s side-saddle and bare breasted. In mine, she not side saddle. And he right hand covers her left breast. Just not seeing or understanding what your asking about the edge.

 

Latin has many terms, meanings and usage. In the US, Pro Bono, never had the legal meaning that it does today. I think it was just before the Revolutionary War that British soldiers shot and killed 5 colonists. No one wanted the case but John Adams, who became our second president, took the case with no financial compensation. It was called Pro Bono. The soldiers were changed with murder but were found innocent. Ever since then it has had a legal meaning but it still has other meanings as well.

 

Most, if not all Conder tokens that I've had have wording denoting where and by whom the tokens could be redeemed inscribed on the edges. Kinda like:

 

I never noticed anything on the edge so thank you very much. It’s very clear and very much like today’s edge lettering. Not worn at all. It reads “PAYABLE AT THE WAREHOUSE OF ROBERT REYNOLDS & Co.”

 

@derkerlegand The more I look at this piece the more I like it! I wasn’t aware the Lady Godiva coins had as many dates as it does. Not all that expensive either, not that I need something else to collect. Lol

Thanks again for your help.

 

The story is that Lady Godiva's husband, Leofric, Earl of Mercia, introduced new taxes that the poorer people were unable to pay. She begged him to cancel the taxes. He said he would if she would ride naked through the streets of Coventry. To his surprise, she accepted. The people showed their gratitude by closing their windows and staying indoors so as not to see her as she rode past- all except Peeping Tom, who in some versions of the tale was struck blind

 

Wonder if they would lower my taxes if I rode naked thru town?

 

Here is mine:

 

Great story. I’ve never heard that but I like it. Thanks for sharing.

 

They would probably raise them in today’s world.

 

I think I read somewhere that Gov. Cross went blind. LOL

 

Nice coin CN, where do you come up with all this stuff. Something new all the time. I'm thankful though.

 

I just have a wide interest range. I don’t really specialize in anything. I collect what interest me. Oh I have some things that don’t but I’m either close to finishing the album or I already have. And I’m one of those people that knows a little about a lot, not a lot a little.

 

Here's mine: