Glasgow Halfpenny Token 1791

This one is quite interesting, and I suspect it may be a contemporary counterfeit.

The Token Book 2010 is not very helpful, stating only "various edges" instead of giving details. Bell states the edge lettering is PAYABLE AT THE HOUSE OF GILBERT SHEARER & CO.

Bell says there were several counterfeits and mules, but he gives no details.

Your token matches perfectly the illustrations in The Token Book, but differs in small but significant points from the ( low quality ) illustrations from Bell.

Bell shows the top left point of the shield pointing to the middle "G" in "GLASGOW" but yours points to the "S".


Bell shows the top right corner of the shield pointing to empty space approximately two letters worth to the left of the "F" in "FLOURISH" but yours points to the bottom of the "F".

Bell shows the tip of the river god's baton pointing to the bottom left of the first "R" in "ARESCERE" but yours has it pointing to the bottom left of the first "E".

Bell's illustration shows the tiny letters "RD" underneath the "DC" in the date, but these are absent on your token. Bell also makes specific mention of this in his descriptive text. The diesinker was R Droz, so I believe these would be his initials.

Linking all this with the geographically odd edge inscription is what causes me to suspect this token. If anyone out there knows better, I would be intrigued to hear it.

The arms in the shield are that of Glasgow. The design relates to the miracles of St Mungo, a.k.a. St Kentigern. The text around the shield is the first part of Glasgow's motto " Let Glasgow Flourish through the preaching of Thy Word".