| |
LONDON Mail Coach Halfpenny, Fittler, J. (?) |
| No. 16 D&H 363-5 |
| Obverse: - A mail coach with the Royal cypher GR on
the door-panel, and four horses driven by a coachman. The guard is mounted
behind, and the head of a passenger is seen at the window. Legend: - MAIL
COACH HALFPENNY PAYABLE IN LONDON, and in the exergue TO TRADE EXPEDITION
& TO PROPERTY PROTECTION. |
| Reverse: - An inscription: TO J. PALMER ESQ. THIS IS
INSCRIBED AS A TOKEN OF GRATITUDE FOR BENEFITS RECE.D FROM THE ESTABLISHMENT
OF MAIL COACHES Beneath the cypher JF in script capitals; the whole encircled
by palm branches, crossed and tied. |
| Edge: - Plain. |
| Diesinker, Wyon; manufacturer, Mynd. Common. There are trivial die differences. |
| Comments: The issuer is unknown, though there is a copper plate
engraving showing a wayside inn, near which is seen a carriage and some
horses, one of which is being groomed. The Mail Coach drawn by four horses
is seen dashing past at speed. Below is this inscription: - |
| |
| To John Palmer Esq. Surveyor and Comptroller-General of the Post Office,
this plate of the Mail Coach is respectfully inscribed by his obedient humble
servant, James Fittler. |
| |
| The cypher JF and the similarity of wording, allowing
for the shortage of space on the token suggests that James Fittler may have
been the issuer. |
from Commercial Coins, 1787-1804,
pp. 112-113 |
