St Helena 1821 Solomon, Dickson & Taylor Halfpenny
Offered is a lovely 1821-issued Halfpenny token, issued by local merchants Solomon, Dickson & Taylor, KM#Tn1. Indeed, this issue was the first specifically for the Island, which saw considerably increased trade following the arrival of Napoleon Bonaparte, as well as all the military infrastructure needed to keep him (we will recall that Elba has proven insufficient). This order of 71 000 pieces arrived some months before the East India Company’s larger coinage from the Soho Mint, and found ready acceptance locally. By the time the latter’s coinage arrived, Napoleon had died, and the Island’s population had plummeted overnight - the bulk of EIC’s coins would sit in storage until the 1830s, when they were sent back to England for melting. The token coinage, on the other hand, would happily persist on the Island for decades - a reason that these are often found worn or corroded.
This example remains most pleasing, with sharp detail, minimal contact marks, and a wonderful mahogany patina. Today, it represents a survivor from one of the more odd and obscure moments in British Imperial token coinages.
Offered is a lovely 1821-issued Halfpenny token, issued by local merchants Solomon, Dickson & Taylor, KM#Tn1. Indeed, this issue was the first specifically for the Island, which saw considerably increased trade following the arrival of Napoleon Bonaparte, as well as all the military infrastructure needed to keep him (we will recall that Elba has proven insufficient). This order of 71 000 pieces arrived some months before the East India Company’s larger coinage from the Soho Mint, and found ready acceptance locally. By the time the latter’s coinage arrived, Napoleon had died, and the Island’s population had plummeted overnight - the bulk of EIC’s coins would sit in storage until the 1830s, when they were sent back to England for melting. The token coinage, on the other hand, would happily persist on the Island for decades - a reason that these are often found worn or corroded.
This example remains most pleasing, with sharp detail, minimal contact marks, and a wonderful mahogany patina. Today, it represents a survivor from one of the more odd and obscure moments in British Imperial token coinages.
Offered is a lovely 1821-issued Halfpenny token, issued by local merchants Solomon, Dickson & Taylor, KM#Tn1. Indeed, this issue was the first specifically for the Island, which saw considerably increased trade following the arrival of Napoleon Bonaparte, as well as all the military infrastructure needed to keep him (we will recall that Elba has proven insufficient). This order of 71 000 pieces arrived some months before the East India Company’s larger coinage from the Soho Mint, and found ready acceptance locally. By the time the latter’s coinage arrived, Napoleon had died, and the Island’s population had plummeted overnight - the bulk of EIC’s coins would sit in storage until the 1830s, when they were sent back to England for melting. The token coinage, on the other hand, would happily persist on the Island for decades - a reason that these are often found worn or corroded.
This example remains most pleasing, with sharp detail, minimal contact marks, and a wonderful mahogany patina. Today, it represents a survivor from one of the more odd and obscure moments in British Imperial token coinages.