Lichfield District Council
Provincial Token- Penny- Issued in Staffordshire, 1811 (Obverse) (33.5mm dia)
Location: Lichfield District Council
Accession No: 1983.36.14 obv.
A copper penny known as a provincial token. The coin features a bust of George III, and was issued in Staffordshire in 1811.
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, caused by limited penny production by the Royal Mint.
This particular token was produced by and circulated within the County of Staffordshire. The token was used in lieu of official currency in order to encourage trade during a time of chronic coin shortages.
The obverse of the coin features a bust of George III. The bust appears bareheaded and in profile, facing right. The shoulders of the bust are garbed in ermine. Encircling the bust is the text: "STAFFORDSHIRE PENNY TOKEN", immediately beneath the bust is the date "1811".
The reverse of the coin features a thick oak leaf wreath. Contained within the wreath is the text: "TO FACILITATE TRADE".
Provincial Token- Penny- Issued in Staffordshire, 1811 (Obverse) (33.5mm dia)
Location: Lichfield District Council
Accession No: 1983.36.14 obv.
A copper penny known as a provincial token. The coin features a bust of George III, and was issued in Staffordshire in 1811.
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, caused by limited penny production by the Royal Mint.
This particular token was produced by and circulated within the County of Staffordshire. The token was used in lieu of official currency in order to encourage trade during a time of chronic coin shortages.
The obverse of the coin features a bust of George III. The bust appears bareheaded and in profile, facing right. The shoulders of the bust are garbed in ermine. Encircling the bust is the text: "STAFFORDSHIRE PENNY TOKEN", immediately beneath the bust is the date "1811".
The reverse of the coin features a thick oak leaf wreath. Contained within the wreath is the text: "TO FACILITATE TRADE".