Description:
English copper halfpenny token, 1792
Diameter 30mm
The obverse features the bust of John Wilkinson, Iron Master, facing right. The reverse features a seated male figure holding a hammer aloft in his right hand, ready to strike a sheet of metal that he holds in his left hand. The value is above and the date below. 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 which became widespread during the period.