Trade token (obverse), Halfpenny, of John Steele, Forfar, Angus

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This is the obverse of a copper halfpenny trade token of John Steele of Forfar in Angus. Dated 1797, the token was designed by James Wright Junior and manufactured by Kempson. The die-sinker was Willets.

The obverse depicts a castle with the surrounding text, 'PAYABLE ON DEMAND BY JOHN STEELE'. Although the castle is unnamed, it may be the castle of David I, which is no longer standing.

John Steele issued five hundredweight of tokens. 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: 000-100-103-355-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  H.1995.337
• Date: 1797
  
• Material: Copper; slight traces of lustre; no evidence of wear. Inscription: Obv.: PAYABLE ON DE=MAND BY JOHN STEELE; a castle; in exergue, WRIGHT DES. Rev.: HALFPENNY; distant view of a town from the sea; in exergue, FORFAR / 1797. Sequence of alternate dots and
  Coin Type: Dalton and Hamer, Angusshire 23
  Trade token
  
• Dimensions: Diameter 28.00 mm; weight 11.86 g; die axis 6.5
  
• What: Coin Type: Dalton and Hamer, Angusshire 23
  Trade token
  
• Subject: Trade Tokens
  
• Who: John Steele (Issuer)
  P. Kempson (Manufacturer)
  
• Where: England, Birmingham
  Scotland, Angus, Forfar
  
• Event:
• Description: Copper halfpenny trade token of John Steele, Forfar, Angus, 1797
  
• References:
  • Calder, J. 'The Wealth of a Nation'. Edinburgh: NMS, 1989 pp. 179-80 
• Translations:
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