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 Replies: 11 / Views: 566 |
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Valued Member
United States
113 Posts |
Finally was able to get one of these at a price I could afford.  |
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Moderator
 United States
15386 Posts |
Congratulations, I suppose. This is a great looking coin.  It would be helpful to us non-experts if you share some background facts on how this coin came to be and what it represents. I have no idea who issued it and why it matters in the broader numismatic perspective.  Edited by nickelsearcher
01/20/2026 7:04 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1057 Posts |
Nice I love these old colonial coppers  The commerce and trade tokens specifically. Fascinating history behind why, where and how they were made and used. If anybody wants to go down a rabbit hole, this would be a good one to explore. |
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Moderator
United States
15386 Posts |
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If anybody wants to go down a rabbit hole, this would be a good one to explore. Concur. I'm not suggesting that I need a full education on the background - but give me some clues to find the beginning of the rabbit hole and I can explore on my own from there. |
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Valued Member
 United States
113 Posts |
These were tokens that the Talbot, Allum & Lee trading company had minted for them to use in commerce during the time when the US wasn't really minting enough coins for circulation. Many colonial coins and the early US Large Cents were struck over the top of these as they were popular and had a standardized weight and measure that people trusted. Google Talbot Allum and Lee copper cent token and the rabbit hole is there. You can also google "Conder Tokens" for an education on privately minted copper coins needed in commerce prior to the US mint getting production of circulating coins ramped up. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10472 Posts |
Thanks Bdlc for the information - very interesting indeed!
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
73595 Posts |
Nice purchase! Errers and Varietys.
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Moderator
United States
15386 Posts |
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Google Talbot Allum and Lee copper cent token and the rabbit hole is there Thank you for that background, it was very helpful. |
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Moderator
United States
94666 Posts |
Very nice token, thanks for a bit of the history. |
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Moderator
United States
187544 Posts |
Outstanding! |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4415 Posts |
This is a token and not a coin, As I recall, some of these were struck atop other pieces. Even though this token is fairly well worn, close examination might reaveal an undertype, perhaps?
This is a pleasing, evenly worn specimen, Good catch!
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Valued Member
United States
113 Posts |
Yes, "technically" it is a token and not a coin since it isn't government issued. My understanding though is that these were minted in England under contract for TAL rather tightly to spec and were not struck over other coins. It was these that some colonials were struck over, including the US mint in it's early days purchased these in order to strike the early 1795-1797 Half Cents. |
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Replies: 11 / Views: 566 |
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Posted 01/20/2026 7:28 pm
