Trade token (reverse), Halfpenny, of Burntisland Vitriol Company, Burntisland, Fife

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The is the reverse of a copper halfpenny trade token of the Burntisland Vitriol Company of Burntisland in Fife. Dated 1797, the token was manufactured by Lutwyche, with dies sunk by Dixon.

The reverse is inscribed 'BURNT-/-ISLAND/VITRIOL/COMPY./1797'. The surrounding Latin motto - 'NEMO ME IMPUNE LACESSIT' - may be translated as 'No-one shall hurt me with impunity'.

Between 1787 and 1817 over 10,000 different types of trade token were issued. Tokens varied in quality from crude lead discs stamped with initials to elaborate pieces of craftwork from the die-sinkers with depictions of industrial or commercial scenes.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-190-001-956-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  H.1958.8
• Date: 1797
  
• Material: Copper; very slight wear. Inscription: Obv.: a carboy between a rose and a thistle; above, cypher of B V Co. Rev.: BURNT- / -ISLAND / VITRIOL / COMPY . / 1797, across field, within a garter radiated, on which is inscribed NEMO ME IMPUNE LACESSIT. Around
  Coin Type: Dalton and Hamer, Fifeshire 2a
  Trade token
  
• Dimensions: Diameter 30.00 mm; weight 12.64 g; die axis 6.0
  
• What: Coin Type: Dalton and Hamer, Fifeshire 2a
  Trade token
  
• Subject: Trade Tokens
  
• Who: Burntisland Vitriol Company (Issuers)
  Lutwyche (Manufacturer)
  Richardson collection
  
• Where: England, Birmingham
  Scotland, Fife, Burntisland
  
• Event:
• Description: Copper halfpenny trade token of the Burntisland Vitriol Company, Burntisland, Fife, 1797
  
• References:
  • Calder, J. 'The Wealth of a Nation'. Edinburgh: NMS, 1989 pp. 179-80 
• Translations:
• Related Records: