Very Rare Anti-Slavery London Corresponding Society Halfpenny 1795

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Very rare Corresponding Society London (Middlesex) anti-slavery copper Conder halfpenny token dated 1795. Obverse: A flying dove with an olive branch in its beak: “UNITED FOR A REFORM OF PARLIAMENT * 1795 *”. Reverse: Two hands joined in friendship: “MAY SLAVERY & OPPRESSION CEASE THROUGHOUT THE WORLD”. Edge inscription: “PAYABLE AT LONDON OR BRIGHTON”. Listed in Dalton & Hamer as: “RR - VERY RARE”. The London Corresponding Society was founded in 1792 in order to spread revolutionary doctrines, similar to those propagated in France following the Revolution, by pursuing political reform through education. It stressed the necessity of government by the people and highlighted the corrupt method of selection for Parliament, whilst advocating peace with France and abolition of slavery. It's greatest success was when 150,000 people attended one of their meetings in Copenhagen Fields, London in 1795. Reasonable collectable condition for type, see photograph.

D&H Middlesex No: 289a. Diameter 29mm. VG. £50.00

e-mail David at d-stuart@d-stuart.demon.co.uk to order.