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Ireland - Edinburgh Halfpenny Condor Token 1790
Catalogue information
LastDodo number
6554281
Area
Tokens / Medals
Title
Ireland - Edinburgh Halfpenny Condor Token 1790
Type
Value
Country
Year
1790
Material
Weight
Variety / overstrike
Obverse
NEMO ME IMPUNE LACESSIT. 1790
Reverse
EDINBURGH HALFPENNY.
Privy mark
Mint mark
Designer
Engraver
Dimensions / Diameter
29
Number
National Museums Scotland H.1948.283
Details
Obv: St Andrew holding saltire cross with thistles either side:
Latin "NEMO ME IMPUNE LACESSIT" = NO ONE PROVOKES ME WITH IMPUNITY
Rev: Edinburgh Coat of Arms beneath anchor with thistles
EDGE - Script, related to Thomas and Alexander Hutchison were Edinburgh merchants with a business in the High Street, Edinburgh.
In 1775 the British government ceased production of copper coins, both halfpenny and penny.
The lack of small coinage quickly began to hamper local trade and commerce. The Parys Mining Company in Angsley, Wales, was a miner of copper. Since they had the available resource (copper) they decided to produce half-penny and penny tokens by themselves to alleviate the local problem.
The popularity of the tokens led to other manufacturers, and was apparent by the vast numbers that began to be produced, and within a short number of years there were thousands of different designs in circulation. The edges of the tokens were lettered, so that the holder of the piece would know who had produced it, and could return it to the origin for redemption in legal tender.
Conder Tokens are named after James Conder who was an early collector and cataloged these interesting coins. They were minted by towns, businesses, and organizations of all types to meet a need for low denomination coinage that was not otherwise available in sufficient quantity.
Thousands of tokens varieties were minted, some being beautiful and intricate works of art, and because they were minted independently of government, the creators had the freedom to make political statements, social commentary, honor great men, ideals, great events, or just advertise their businesses. Most were officially payable only in certain areas and locations.