George III Bank of Ireland Emergency Silver Token Ten Pence, 1813

Description

Denomination: 10 pence piece (10d)

Period: Hanoverian

Date: 1813

Origin: Struck in London for the Bank of Ireland

Condition: Fine. slightly bowed and scuff to obverse 

Obverse: Draped and laureate bust of George III. right. legend around

Reverse: Inscription in wreath of Shamrock. BANK TOKEN 10 PENCE IRISH (in four lines) then 1813 below

Size and Weight: 21.5mm. 3.46g

References: Spink 6618

Features and Provenance: During this period of history Britain had been at war with America. which was costly. but not the biggest drain on funds; the war with France and Napoleon was much more expensive. With the threat of invasion hanging over Britain there was a ‘run’ on the banks (much worse in Ireland); 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 token denominations and the Bank of Ireland followed suit with their own versions. 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