Back

Scotland - 1797

Steele halfpenny

Obverse:

Armorial device of the Burgh of Forfar.

Legend:

PAYABLE ON DE= MAND BY JOHN STEELE

Exergue:

WRIGHT DES

Size:

28.6 mm.

Edge:

Alternate dot and cross.

Reverse:

A panorama view of a town with hills behind and water and boats in the foreground .

Legend:

HALFPENNY

Exergue:

FORFAR / 1797

Vern's Comments:

BELL N^o 12 D&H 23-26

FORFAR Steele, J.
   Obverse :- A panorama view of a town with hills behind and water and boats in the foreground . Legend :- HALFPENNY In the exergue, FORFAR 1797
   Reverse :- Armorial device of the Burgh of Forfar. (A square castle embattled above the gate, and at the top triple towered: the centre tower larger than the others. On each side of the castle is a argent, masoned sable, the portcullis and windows gules, the middle tower ensigned with a staff and banner charged with the Royal Arms of Scotland.) On the token the banner is charged with the cross of St. Andrew. Legend :- PAYABLE ON DE= MAND BY JOHN STEELE In the exergue, WRIGHT DES
   Edge :- Alternate dot and cross.
Diesinker, Willets ; manufacturer, Kempson. Five cwts. struck. Common.
There are three variants, D&H 26 is rare, D&H 23 scarce.

Comments. John Steele was a linen and woollen draper in the High Street of the Royal Burgh of Forfar; an ancient county town thirteen miles north-east of Dundee, and consisting of several irregular but reasonably well-built streets. It had only one church which stood in the middle of the town, and dominated the view on the token.
   The reverse design presents the armorial bearings of the Royal Burgh. The ancient castle was of great strength and frequently served as a royal residence.

Commercial Coins 1787-1804., pp. 247-248

Scotland — Angusshire

D & H 24 — Forfar

Bell Pg: 247-248

O: Similar to last, but the first letter of legend is further from the castle. Ground-Iine on the right does not touch the circle, and the T of

A. 18

R: As last.

E: Alternate dot and cross.

Steele halfpenny