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England - 1794

Prince of Wales - Brighton Camp

Obverse:

Bust in eighteenth century attire.

Legend:

GEORGE PRINCE OF WALES.

Edge:

BRIGHTON CAMP HALFPENNY X.X.X

Reverse:

Badge of the Prince of Wales. (Three ostrich feathers argent, quilled or, enfiled in base by a coronet composed of crosses patée and fleur-de-lys alternately); and Motto: on a riband issuing from the coronet, "Ich Dien".

Legend:

HALFPENNY

Exergue:

1794

Vern's Comments:

This coin has a planchet clip that doesn't detract too badly from its appeal. The edge is of the common variety.

Comments. These tokens were circulated by Richard Maplesden, a grocer and draper in Winchelsea. The first type struck have the edge inscription: PAYABLE AT RICHARD MAPLESDEN'S WINCHELSEA. Others BRIGHTON CAMP HALFPENNY MDCCXCIV X.X and yet others PAYABLE AT LONDON OR BRIGHTON He also issued the Warley Camp tokens, see Essex No. 7. In all, including the Warley Camp tokens, ten tons were issued.

The Prince of Wales, later George IV, first visited Brighton in 1782 and taking a liking to the town, purchased the residence of a Mr. Thomas Kemp. He built the Pavilion which was commenced in 1784 and finished in 1787; an extravaganza described by a contemporary as "St. Paul's gone to the seaside and pupped." Much of his time at Brighton was spent in the company of Mrs. Fitzherbert, his legal though disclaimed wife.

The first Brighton Camp was formed during the French invasion scare; the Prince meeting the troops on the outskirts of the town, and they pitched their tents at Belle Vue Field. The encampment consisted of regular troops and militia; its maximum strength was 10,000 men, and they were kept under arms from 13th August to 28th October, 1793.

In the following summer a second camp was established about a mile and a half to the west of Brighton, its maximum strength reaching nearly 15,000. In 1795 there was a third camp at Brighton, made memorable by two men being shot and others flogged for mutiny.

Commercial Coins 1787-1804., pp. 179-180

England — Sussex

D & H 2 — Brighton

Bell Pg: 179-180

O: Bust to right. GEORGE PRINCE OF WALES. The forehead in a line with the E.

A. 3

R: The Prince of Wales' crest and motto. HALFPENNY 1794. No period.

E: BRIGHTON CAMP HALFPENNY X.X.X