Great Britain - c.1790

½ Penny Token

(D & H 71a - Warwickshire, Birmingham, Biggs')
Obverse - Great Britain - 1792 Reverse - Great Britain - 1792
Obverse - Bust of eighteenth century gentleman.
Legend - DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON and a small ornament.
Reverse - Three lions rampant, one and two.
Legend - PROMISSORY. HALFPENNY, PAYABLE AT and a small ornament.
Edge:- (1) PAYABLE AT HENRY BIGG'S MOORE STREET.
          (2) BIRMINGHAM W. HAMPTON OR LITCHFIELD
Diesinker, Patrick; manufacturer, unknown. The first edge is extremely rare, the second fairly common.
 
Comments. This was the second token struck for Biggs. Just when it was being produced there was a sudden return of the earlier token for redemption, and he cancelled the original edge inscription (1), and had it replaced by (2), which is said to be the first evasive edge inscription on any token. Only about eight specimens of (1) are known, and hence even the battered coin illustrated in figs. 355-6 is worthy of a place in a cabinet.
 
   Dr. Johnson won fame through his great dictionary, and later as a conversationalist. The significance of the reverse design of three lioncels is unknown.
Commercial Coins 1787-1804., pp. 193-194
 
D & H 71a - Dr. Samuel Johnson
O: Bust to right. DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. A small ornament under bust.
R: Three lions rampant. PROMISSORY . HALFPENNY . PAYABLE AT.
E:
A. 47a
BIRMINGHAM W. HAMPTON OR LITCHFIELD.
No. 71a also in brass.