Trade token (obverse), Halfpenny, of Glasgow

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This is the obverse of a 1794 copper halfpenny trade token of Glasgow.

The obverse depicts a river god facing right, reclining on an urn inscribed 'CLYDE', from which water flows. The legend refers to the River Clyde never drying up.

Between 1787 and 1817 over 10,000 different types of trade token were issued to ease the shortage of small change. The contemporary fascination with tokens resulted in them becoming collectors' items. Some tokens were issued purely for collecting.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-103-365-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  H.XII.19.22
• Date: 1794
  
• Material: Copper; traces of lustre; very slight wear. Inscription: Obv.: NUNQUAM ARESCERE; river-god facing right, reclining on an urn, inscribed CLYDE, from which water flows; in exergue, MDCCXCI. Rev.: PRO BONO PUBLICO; ship sailing to right; 1794 in exergue. Ed
  Coin Type: Dalton and Hamer, Lanarkshire 8a
  Trade token
  
• Dimensions: Diameter 28.00 mm; weight 7.87 g; die axis 7.0
  
• What: Coin Type: Dalton and Hamer, Lanarkshire 8a
  Trade token
  
• Subject: Trade Tokens
  
• Who:
• Where: England, uncertain mint
  Scotland, Lanarkshire, Glasgow
  
• Event:
• Description: Copper halfpenny trade token of Glasgow, Lanarkshire, 1794
  
• 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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