Description:
Norwich copper halfpenny token, 1792
Diameter 28mm
The obverse features a three towered castle with a passant gardant lion below. The inscription reads 'MAY NORWICH FLOURISH/ PRO BONO PUBLICO', Latin, 'For the public good'. The reverse features the Coat of Arms of the Howard family, which were also used as the Arms of the county. Howard was the family name of the Duke of Norfok, and the two truncheons crossed behind refer to the Duke's role as Earl Marshal. Tokens such as this were produced from 1787-1797 when there was a shortage of regal copper coinage. This led the Anglesey Mines Company to produce its own copper penny and halfpenny tokens, a practice that became widespread during the period.