Trade token (reverse), Halfpenny, of Gilbert Shearer & Company, Glasgow

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This is the reverse of a 1796 copper halfpenny trade token of Gilbert Shearer & Company of Glasgow.

The reverse depicts a river god, reclining on an urn inscribed 'CLYDE' from which water flows. The legend refers to the River Clyde never drying up. Below the date are the initials 'R.D.', probably those of Roger Dixon, a die-sinker from Birmingham.

Several tons of tokens were struck for Gilbert Shearer & Company at the Soho Mint. Circulated locally, trade tokens could be used to buy goods or redeemed for regal coinage. They were also an ideal way for a company to advertise its wares.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-190-001-989-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  A.1961.769
• Date: 1791
  1796
  
• Material: Copper; very slight wear. Inscription: Obv.: LET GLASGOW FLOURISH; shield of arms. Rev.: NUNQUAM ARESCERE; river-god facing right, reclining on an urn, inscribed CLYDE, from which water flows; in exergue, MDCCXCI, with R . D ., in small letters, below.
  Coin Type: Dalton and Hamer, Lanarkshire 2
  Trade token
  
• Dimensions: Diameter 29.00 mm; weight 13.24 g; die axis 6.5
  
• What: Coin Type: Dalton and Hamer, Lanarkshire 2
  Trade token
  
• Subject: Trade Tokens
  
• Who: Gilbert Shearer and Co. (Issuers)
  
• Where: England, Birmingham, Soho mint
  Scotland, Lanarkshire, Glasgow
  
• Event:
• Description: Copper halfpenny trade token of Gilbert Shearer and Co., Glasgow, Lanarkshire, 1791
  
• References:
  • Dalton, R & Hamer, S.H. 'The Provincial Token-Coinage of the 18th Century, Illustrated, Part XII: Scotland'. 1916 p. (iv) 
• Translations:
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