Staffordshire (1814) 2 pence token

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Stack's Bowers June 2022 Collector's Choice sale, lot 71387
SB622-71387r.jpg
from the Marathon collection
Litchfield 2 penny token rev Marth.jpg

The first specimen was lot 71387 in Stack's Bowers Collector's Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, June 2022), where it sold for $480. The catalog description[1] noted, "GREAT BRITAIN. Trade Tokens. Staffordshire. Litchfield. Copper 2 Pence Token, ND (1814). PCGS AU-55. John Henrickson issue. Obverse: Three fallen monarchs in various states of dismemberment; church, castle, and trees above, all within shield; Reverse: Facing view of Lemmonsly Mill. Exceedingly attractive and less commonly seen, this Two Pence token displays very little evidence of actual handling and provides deep chocolate color. Light marking is noted." This is not, strictly speaking, a Conder token, being issued after the initial period of their popularity, but we have filed it there nevertheless. This token features the water-powered Lemmonsly Mill near Lichfield (formerly Litchfield), owned by John Henrickson, a textile manufacturer. The value is stated as "ONE POUND NOTE FOR 120 TOKENS". "The curious and grisly scene of dead and partially dismembered bodies shown on the tokens is the arms of the city of Litchfield. The name is supposed to have derived from Licidfield, meaning 'field of the dead.'"

Recorded mintage: unknown.

Specification: copper.

Catalog reference: Withers-821.

Source:

  • Bell, R. C., Copper Commercial Coins, 1811-1819, Newcastle upon Tyne: Corbitt & Hunter Ltd, 1964
  • [2]Paul and Bente Withers, The Token Book, British Tokens of the 17th, 18th & 19th Centuries and Their Values, Llanfyllin, Powys, Wales: Galata Print, Ltd, 2022.
  • [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, The June 2022 World Collectors Choice Online Auction - Ancients & World Coins - Featuring Selections from the Kings Norton Mint Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2022.

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