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 Replies: 9 / Views: 2,873 |
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
735 Posts |
Not as well preserved as some of my others but I think I remember reading in Dalton that the 7 over 9 in the date is a scarce variety. The edge reads: Birmingham Redruth Swansea, plus a selection of randomly selected symbols used to fill out the space.   
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
709 Posts |
The symbols are not random. They are symbols for metals as follows:
Gold - circle with dot in middle.
mercury - circle with what looks like 2 horns and 2 legs.
Lead - looks like side view of a chair with T-bar.
silver - crescent moon.
copper - modern female symbol.
tin - digit 4 with loop on top.
iron - modern male symbol.
I think they might be related to old alchemy symbols. Can you post a picture?
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Pillar of the Community
 United Kingdom
735 Posts |
Best I could do I'm afraid (I had to use my scanner), but you're quite right, those are the symbols shown. Does your book mention the overdate being scarce?  |
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
735 Posts |
PS:
A, do you have any information about the possibility of my Bungay halfpenny being a mule?
Thanks.
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
709 Posts |
Those are alchemy symbols.
Bell only lists 2 dates for your token, 1791 and 1792. The 1791 is "common". He mentions 9 tons of the 1792. At approximately 5000 halfpennies to the cwt, and 20cwt to the ton, it would make your token common. ( Although this is still a lot less than modern rare decimal coins ).
I suggest the 2 over 1 in the date was just reusing the old die for cheapness.
Bell mentions a counterfeit of your token using the legend BIRMINGHAM COINING AND COPPER COMPANY, with an otherwise identical design. He also mentions straight counterfeits of the original.
The Token Book mentions dates of 1791/2/3/4. Possibly the last 2 years are fake from Bell's information. None have high values listed.
I will have another look at the Bungay 1/2d.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1304 Posts |
Did not know that about the edge inscription, really cool piece!
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
735 Posts |
Interesting information, thank you A.
Not a reused die though as its not the last digit which has been altered from a 1 to a 2 but the second digit which is a 9 altered to a 7. An obvious mistake as the 9 had been entered too early.
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
709 Posts |
The 7 does look messy, but the 2 is not particularly sharp compared to the remaining digits. There appears to be extra detail inside the loop of the 2, which is why I thought it was an overdate. Presumably it is just how the token is made.
I enjoy looking at your photos. Since my wallet only extends to a modest collection, I take pleasure looking at these. Thank you for showing them.
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
735 Posts |
The 7 over 9 is a recognised error and is rated RR in Dalton & Hamer.
I see what you mean about the 2 but, in the hand, it looks fine. A trick of the iPad 's limited abilities I would think.
I'm happy to share the photos and will post some more tomorrow. EFCents is posting some cracking tokens.
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
955 Posts |
Quote:
I take pleasure looking at these. Thank you for showing them absolutely , great pictures. Love the symbols and there meanings |
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Replies: 9 / Views: 2,873 |
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Posted 05/13/2017 3:32 pm
