INTERESTING RELIC

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26619, 15 November 1947, Page 6

INTERESTING RELIC

ENGLISH TOKEN COIN “MAIL COACH HALFPENNY” The revival of interest in "coaching which has arisen on account of the approaching centenary prompted a reader to forward to the Daily Times a copper token coin issued by an English coaching firm in the latter part of the eighteenth century. Approximately one inch in diameter, the coin is described as a “Mail Coach Halfpenny ” issued “to trade expedition and to property protection,” and is certified as payable in London. It was a common practice among counties, companies and even business individuals to issue these coins, and thus alleviate the acute shortage of small currency in the reign of George 111. They were generally accepted as legitimate currency. The coins were issued in three distinct periods—the seventeenth century, latter part of the eighteenth century and the. early nineteenth century —being finally withdrawn from circulation in 1816. Many such coins were issued as complimentary tokens, and the one forwarded to the Daily Times is inscribed on the reverse side: “To J. Palmer, Esq., this is inscribed as a token of gratitude for benefits received. From the Establishment of? Mail Coaches.”