Back

England - 1794

Admiral Earl Howe

Obverse:

Bust of Admiral Earl Howe, facing right

Legend:

ADM^L EARL HOWE

Reverse:

A ship under sail with land in the foreground

Legend:

GLORIOUS 1^ST OF IUNE 1794

Exergue:

FARTHING

Vern's Comments:

British Historical Medals says the following about Admiral Howe:

"Richard, Earl Howe (1725-1799) Admiral, entered the navy at fourteen and after a distinguished career and being raised to an earldom 1788, was appointed to the command of the Channel Fleet at the outbreak of war with France in 1793. In the following year he gained the famous victory of the 'Glorious First of June'. The engagement between 25 English and 26 French ships of the line lasted scarcely an hour. The English captured two ships of eighty guns and four seventy-fours, another seventy-four sinking immediately after possession. London was illuminated for three nights in honour of the victory..."

This is one of those curious pieces that were produced in England by private concerns throughout the Revolutionary and Napoleonic era. Apparently small change wasn't produced in large enough quantities by the government and small businessmen stepped in to produce the needed coinage. What's a little different about this one is that it commemorates an historic event rather than advertising a business. As such it's something of a token or jeton...

England — Hampshire

D & H 101 — Southampton

O: Bust to right. ADML. EARL HOWE.

A. 207

R: A man-of-war sailing to left, FARTHING under it in a curved line. GLORIOUS 1ST OF IUNE, 1794.