Description:
Birmingham and South Wales copper one penny token, 1812
Diameter 36mm
The obverse features the crest of the Prince of Wales. This consists of a crown with three plumes. The inscription reads 'BIRMINGHAM & SOUTH WALES/ 1812' around the outside. The obverse features a horse within a central ring and the inscription 'COPPER TOKEN/ ONE PENNY' around the outside. The Napoleonic Wars led to a shortage of regal coinage in the early 19th Century. From 1811 many businesses and companies produced their own token copper and silver coinage of which this is an example.