Trade token (obverse), Halfpenny, of Joseph Archibald, Edinburgh

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This is the obverse of a copper halfpenny trade token of Joseph Archibald of Edinburgh. The token is dated 1796.

The obverse depicts a shield of arms below a palm branch. The Latin inscription above may be translated as 'Faith enriches the things that are preserved'. The remaining surrounding text reads 'JOS. ARCHIBALD. SEEDSMAN. EDIN.'

It has been estimated that between 1787 and 1817 over 10,000 different types of trade token were issued. Although some pennies were produced, the tokens were issued mainly in farthing or halfpenny denominations.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-103-370-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  A.1932.329
• Date: 1796
  
• Material: Copper; surface flaw near middle of reverse; slight to moderate wear. Inscription: Obv.: rosette of pellets DITAT . SERVATA . FIDES / JOS . ARCHIBALD . SEEDSMAN . EDIN .; a shield of arms, with a palm branch as crest; 17 to left, 96 to right. Rev.: acros
  Coin Type: Dalton and Hamer, Lothian 10
  Trade token
  
• Dimensions: Diameter 29.00 mm; weight 8.59 g; die axis 12.0
  
• What: Coin Type: Dalton and Hamer, Lothian 10
  Trade token
  
• Subject: Trade Tokens
  
• Who: Joseph Archibald (Issuer)
  
• Where: England, uncertain mint
  Scotland, Midlothian, Edinburgh
  
• Event:
• Description: Copper halfpenny trade token of Joseph Archibald, Edinburgh, Lothian, 1796
  
• References:
  • Calder, J. 'The Wealth of a Nation'. Edinburgh: NMS, 1989 pp. 179-80 
• Translations:
• Related Records: