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Lyceum Theatre London (Middlesex) copper halfpenny token undated. Obverse: Mercury holding a caduceus standing on the back of a prancing horse with legend: "THE . FIRST . EQUESTN . PERFORMANCE . IN . EUROPE", "LYCEUM STRAND LONDON". Reverse: A man balancing on his head on the point of a sword, itself balancing on a table with legend: "SINGING DANCING TUMBLING SLACK WIRE &c.", "EVERY EVENING". Edge inscription: "PAYABLE AT LONDON BATH OR MANCHESTER". Issued by the proprietors of The Lyceum Exhibition in the Strand at the West End of London. The building was built around 1765 and consisted of a large saloon with a skylight, surrounded by smaller rooms. The back was later converted into a theatre. In 1802 the first viewing of Madam Tussaud's waxworks figures was held there. After a rebuild in 1816, the theatre was destroyed by fire in 1830. Lovely collectable condition, neatly lacquered in the past, see photograph. D&H Middlesex No: 362a. Diameter 28.1mm. EF. £60.00 e-mail David at enquiries@abccoinsandtokens.com to order. |