George III Bank of England Emergency Silver Eighteenpence Token , 1812

Description

Denomination: Eighteenpence or 1 shilling and 6 pence (1s 6d)

Period: Hanoverian

Date: 1812

Origin: Bank of England. London (as such this is considered a token as not produced by the Royal Mint)

Condition: VF+ for issue. toned

Obverse: Draped and laureate bust of George. right

Reverse: Value and date within a wreath of laurel and oak leaves with acorns

Size and Weight: 27mm. 7.4g

References: Spink 3771

Features and Provenance: The year 1812. is historic for many reasons: we were at war with America. which was costly. but not the biggest drain on funds; the war with France and Napoleon was much more punishing on resources. With the threat of invasion hanging over Britain there was a ‘run’ on the banks; the Bank of England coped with this by at first counter-stamping using old foreign coins as the source of precious metals ran out. then by issuing these token denominations. Once the wars were over in 1815 there was a re-coinage from 1816. Produced for only a brief period. these ‘coins’ are therefore relatively scarce and very collectible. 

Condition Summary. This varies with the age of coin and there are grades between

Uncirculated (U). As struck with no traces of wear

Extremely Fine (EF). Very slight traces of wear. all parts of legend etc present. visible and clear

Very Fine (VF). Some signs of wear on the higher parts of the relief. all parts of legend etc present. but maybe worn

Fine (F). Wear on the coin and parts of legend etc may be missing or not visible