One Penny Token Coin 1813

Photographs of a one penny token coin dated 1813. Stamped with Christopher and Jennett Stockton, with image of a bridge on one side and Britannia on the other. These images are from the Jack Marriott collection courtesy of Stockton Museum Service.

Comments:

John Callender

I have recently aquired this same coin. If you look closely you can actually see someone travelling across the bridge on horseback. This was built in 1764-69 and was demolished in 1887 to be replaced by the Victoria bridge. Note the old stone bridge had five arches to it. 12/03/2010 09:36:49

Lynne Crompton

I am in possession of one of the coins. Does anyone know the history of why they were produced?20/03/2010 17:11:42

John Callender

In answer to Lynne Crompton, as far as I know, back in the late 1700s and early 1800s there was a shortage of small change, pennies and halfpennies etc so the government allowed local businesses all over the country to mint their own coins for local use. There are literally hundreds of different types of these coins depicting different local scenes etc along with the names of the people who minted them. This was also a good form of advertising. The names on the Stockton coin were of a local firm of printers and booksellers.22/03/2010 13:54:32

Lynne Crompton

Many thanks for the response, John. Much appreciated.23/03/2010 20:53:47

Cliff Thornton

According to Thomas Richmond, in his "Local Records of Stockton", Christopher and Jennet issued a series of tokens in 1812-13. Small change was in short supply as so much silver had been used to pay for England's wars against France. So all low value tokens were issued in copper instead of silver. As well as the one penny token, C&J also issued tokens for a halfpenny as well as six pence, and one shilling.25/03/2010 12:44:52






Please keep the comment relevant to the photograph (some extra detail or history) and avoid addressing it to an individual. Email, postal or web addresses should not be added.


(email & web addresses are automatically removed to prevent spam)


[Read comments policy]