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Birmingham Halfpenny

Freyasnan - you have https twice so link does not work.

https://www.bmagic.org.uk/objects/1885N1527.24
 
Bernie D'Boult many thanks. Am only learnin trade
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:)
 
It looks like a trade token, these were issued by various organisations in the 18th and 19th centuries.
 
I grew up at Soho House, and we used to have two Cartwheel Bolton Pennies which I can remember playing with when I was young. They were quite thick and heavy. I think my Mom must have left them there when we moved as I never saw them again. They were quite different to the Halfpenny picture as they had an outer rim. I bet they would be worth something today.

Judy
 
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I was given a george 111 halfpenny and I gave it to my son last week he collects coins I will have to ask him if he knows where it was minted. The date was 17something will check when he's home from holiday.
 
Thanks Astonite. They came through clearly that time. Yes, the George III penny looks exactly like those I remember as a child. Wish I still had them. Thanks for the pics.

Judy
 
mossg, The Birmingham halfpenny is almost certainly a trade token. Many such tokens were made around the country. This was as a result of the cost of minting low value coins being dearer than the face value of the coin. By issuing trade tokens, employers ensured that their own workers could only spend there wages via their employer thus keeping the wages circulating within the firm. It was the advent of the steam-driven coining presses that brought the manufacturing costs down and with it the end of trade tokens. The "Cartwheel" pennies and halfpennies, of which their are still plenty about, were too soft to be a practical coin and today only pristine samples have any real monetary value. If a more detailed knowledge is required, I would suggest a visit to the Birmingham City Museum and speak to their numismatist expert. Regards. willey
 
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