Description:
Birmingham copper halfpenny token, 1792
Diameter 29mm
The obverse features the bust of John Howard facing left. The inscription reads 'JOHN HOWARD F.R.S' (Fellow of the Royal Society) around the outside. The reverse features the monogram of H. Hickman, at whose warehouse the token was redeemable. The date is above. Around the outside are the words 'PROMISSORY HALFPENNY BIRMINGHAM' separated by dots. 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.