Newark Shilling 1811

Obverse of 1811 Newark Silver Shilling Token

Reverse of 1811 Newark Silver Shilling Token

Silver Tokens
Silver tokens are much scarcer than copper tokens. As we mention on our History of Tokens page, trade tokens were originally issued to fill a need for small change, therefore most tokens were halfpennies, farthings or pennies. Larger denominations were not so often needed. Additionally the monetary authorities were more jealous of their monopoly on higher value coins. While they were often quite happy to ignore low value tokens, they were not as happy about the issuing of higher value pieces. It was only at times of shortage of silver coins that silver tokens were tolerated.

Obverse
The obverse of this token shows a fine engraving of the front of Newark Town Hall, presumably as it appeared in 1811, with the inscription:- NEWARK SILVER TOKEN FOR ONE SHILLING
TOWN HALL
1811

Reverse
The reverse carries an inscription in a circle and five lines. There is noticeable double striking of a number of the letters. This has obviously occurred in the production of the die rather than in the striking of the coin. The letter of the name Stansall are almost all double punched, as are a number of other letters of the inscription. The overpunched letters appear to be very badly aligned, and some letters which have not been overpunched are also erratically positioned. The overpunching would appear to be a crude attempt to correct the result of alcoholic over-indulgence. It would have been fairly common practice for the obverse engraving to be carried out by a master engraver, and the engraving of the town hall on the obverse appears to be well executed. The reverse being the less important side would have been left to a less skilled worker, as is evident from this piece.
THE CURRENT VALUE
PAYABLE IN CASH NOTES
T. STANSALL
CHA^S MOOR
RICH^D FISHER
W^M FILLINGHAM
W^M READETT
AND
T. WILSON

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