Lichfield District Council
Provincial Token - Halfpenny - from Leek, Staffordshire, 1793 (29mm dia)
Location: Lichfield District Council
Accession No: 1983.36.6
A copper halfpenny coin known as a provincial token. This token was issued and circulated within Leek, Staffordshire in 1793.
Provincial tokens were coins minted by private individuals from the late 18th century in response to a chronic lack of small denomination coins in Britain. This was caused by limited penny production by the Royal Mint from the 1660s onward.
This particular token was produced by the town of Leek and circulated within the local area. The coin was used in lieu of official coinage, and was understood within Leek to have had a value equivalent to half a penny. This allowed trade to continue within the town despite the lack of legitimate currency.
The obverse of the coin features a caduceus staff (a classical symbol of commerce), resting against a bale of goods, representing Leek's textile and cotton industries. Encircling the image is the legend: "LEEK COMMERCIAL HALFPENNY." and the date "1793".
The reverse of the coin features two clasped hands in front of an olive branch. The reverse is encircled by the motto of Leek: "ARTE FAVENTE NIL DESPERANDUM" (Our skill assisting us, we have no cause for despair).
Running around the rim of the coin is the text : "PAYABLE AT LEEK STAFFORDSHIRE."
This is one of two Leek provincial halfpenny tokens in Lichfield's collection (1983.36.6 and 1983.36.7).
Provincial Token - Halfpenny - from Leek, Staffordshire, 1793 (29mm dia)
Location: Lichfield District Council
Accession No: 1983.36.6
A copper halfpenny coin known as a provincial token. This token was issued and circulated within Leek, Staffordshire in 1793.
Provincial tokens were coins minted by private individuals from the late 18th century in response to a chronic lack of small denomination coins in Britain. This was caused by limited penny production by the Royal Mint from the 1660s onward.
This particular token was produced by the town of Leek and circulated within the local area. The coin was used in lieu of official coinage, and was understood within Leek to have had a value equivalent to half a penny. This allowed trade to continue within the town despite the lack of legitimate currency.
The obverse of the coin features a caduceus staff (a classical symbol of commerce), resting against a bale of goods, representing Leek's textile and cotton industries. Encircling the image is the legend: "LEEK COMMERCIAL HALFPENNY." and the date "1793".
The reverse of the coin features two clasped hands in front of an olive branch. The reverse is encircled by the motto of Leek: "ARTE FAVENTE NIL DESPERANDUM" (Our skill assisting us, we have no cause for despair).
Running around the rim of the coin is the text : "PAYABLE AT LEEK STAFFORDSHIRE."
This is one of two Leek provincial halfpenny tokens in Lichfield's collection (1983.36.6 and 1983.36.7).