1795 Anti Slavery Token - Condor?

Heya everyone

I have here an anti-slavery token. Now it isn't the usual brother or sister kneeling obverse, nor the Bermuda slavery obverse, but this one has a different one. I suppose it's a mule but cannot figure out what of?

Any help will be greatly appreciated!





Obverse says, "United for a reform of Parliament 1795". I've never seen one like this before, so hopefully I have something good.

- Ryan -

 

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Ryan - what does the edge inscription say? It appears to be a Middlesex token.

 

Redacted. See update below.

 

Ryan -

I believe I have your answer

This appears to be an "Anti-Slavery Corresponding Society Halfpenny 1795"

Please confirm the below following, especially if your specimen has edge lettering.

Thanks,

CheetahCats

________________________________________________
Corresponding Society London (Middlesex)
Anti-Slavery Copper
Conder Halfpenny Token
Dated 1795.

Obverse:

• Image: Flying Dove w/Olive Branch in Beak
• Motto: “UNITED FOR A REFORM OF PARLIAMENT
• Dated 1795

Reverse:

• Image: Two hands meeting as a symbol of friendship
• Motto: “MAY SLAVERY & OPPRESSION CEASE THROUGHOUT THE WORLD”

Possible Edge Inscription:

• “CELEBRATED FOR PURE AIR AND SEA BATHING”.

Attributes / Diagnostics

• D&H Middlesex #: 289d.
• Diameter 29mm.

Previously Posted Value(s)

• Grade Fine: $68.50 USD
  

Background
In 1793 The London Corresponding Society was founded for the purpose of spreading revolutionary doctrines, much like those in France following the Revolution, through the pursuit of political reform through education. The society stressed the need of a government that was 'by the people'.

The society pointed out the corrupt methods that entailed the selections for Parliament, while at the same time advocating peace with France and also the abolition of slavery.

 

Very Nice

 

Thank you CheetahCats, but the edge on my coin reads, "Payable at London or Brighton", everything else seems to match up thought

 

You're welcome. Below is a photo of the specimen I was referring to. Given the difference in edge lettering, my conclusion is that these are mules.

Regardless, what you have is a great specimen!

 

I have to ask, What actually were these used for??

 

I like it.

It was used to buy candy

 

Royal copper coinage was minted until 1775; after which it ceased. The Royals believed that copper wasn't a worthy metal to bear their likenesses. After that, due to demand, tokens, later known as Conders, were issued until the Regal coinage began in 1797 and 1799.

To meet the demand during this time-frame, merchants, towns, political groups, and wealthy folks issued the tokens. The tokens usually were made of copper and were valued in halfpennies, pennies, and farthings.

 

So they used it for Candy? lol

 

That,s really cool, Thanks for the info

 

I don't believe it was quite as simple as that. George III had no problem with copper coinage bearing his image (after all, he and his predecessors back to Charles II had copper coinage bearing their portraits). The problem was, the Royal Mint had by this point become very decrepit and out of date, and was struggling to mint coins at a profit, even with gold and silver (the latter of which was seldom available). From that point on, Britain had more pressing issues to contend with (the American War and the threat of invasion from France, Spain and Holland) than to worry about the state of England's small change, so the counterfeiters filled the gaps in, along with the conder issuers who were dissatisfied with the counterfeit issues.
It wasn't until Boulton and Watt (previously employed on manufacturing said tokens) came along with their steam-produced cartwheel issues that official copper issues could be produced in enough quantities at a profit again, and it wasn't until Boulton and Watt had installed some of their patent coin pressing machinery at the Royal Mint's new premises on Tower Hill that the Royal Mint could handle copper coinage in-house (which it started to do again from 1821, after the once ample supplies of 1799, 1806 and 1807 Soho-Mint issues of pennies and half-pennies started to become inadequate)...

 

Nice find!
specking off letter rims here what my avatar rim looks like.this link may help
also.



www.africanafrican.com/negroartist/abolitionistss/Dynamic/index4.html

 

Nice coin Ryan!

 

ryanbrooks - that would make your token a Middlesex Corresponding Society #289a

 

Dang so it wasn't used for candy.
Well I tried...
I like the edge lettering back then do you think they will ever get to loving our Presidential dollars edge lettering like that?

 

Thank you everyone for your comments and info! And I think "farthing" got it correct, being the #289a. Dontcha just love these interesting pieces? So much history behind 'em all!

 

Nice job farthing!

 

Great coin and a educational thread...