Very rare Corresponding Society London (Middlesex) copper Conder halfpenny token dated 1796. Obverse: A man hanging from a gibbet beneath "P" "T" separated by an eye, the cap of liberty hanging from a pole, a shield bearing an anchor and "HOPE", a sword, jewels, cross, mitre, crown, crosier and sceptre on the ground, and a monument inscribed "PEACE 1796" and legend: "LIBERTY * AND * NOT * SLAVERY". Reverse: An obelisk surrounded with Masonic emblems with legend and engraver's name in exergue: "GOD * THE * FIRST ARCHITECT * JACOBS.". Edge inscription: "AT GEORGE EDWARD SARGEANTS PORTSEA" partly obliterated and followed by wavy line and dots. 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. It's greatest success was when 150,000 people attended one of their meetings in Copenhagen Fields, London in 1795. Lovely collectable condition with slight edge damage possibly resulting from attempts to correct the edge inscription, see photograph. D&H Middlesex No: 291a. Diameter 30mm. EF-. £795.00 e-mail David at d-stuart@d-stuart.demon.co.uk to order. www.abccoinsandtokens.com |