Description:
Macclesfield copper halfpenny token, 1791
Diameter 28mm
The obverse features the bust of Charles Roe facing right. The inscription reads 'CHARLES ROE ESTABLISHED THE COPPER WORKS'. The reverse features a seated female figure facing left with copper working tools. The date is below and the inscription 'MACCLESFIELD HALFPENNY' is above. There is a hole pierced through the top of the token, possibly for suspension, which is not part of the original design. 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.