Back

England - 1796

In Gratitude for Mail Coaches - 4th

Obverse:

A mail coach driving past at speed.

Legend:

MAIL COACH HALFPENNY PAYABLE IN LONDON .

Exergue:

TO TRADE EXPEDITION & TO PROPERTY PROTECTION .

Size:

28 mm.

Edge:

Plain

Reverse:

Within a wreath, a legend.

Legend:

TO J. PALMER E^SQ THIS IS INSCRIBED AS A TOKEN OF GRATITUDE FOR BENEFITS RECE.^D FROM THE ESTABLISHMENT OF MAIL COACHES

Exergue:

In script: JF

Vern's Comments:

BELL N^o 16 D&H 363-5

LONDON Mail' Coach Halfpenny, Fittler, J. (?)
   Obverse :- mail coach with the Royal cypher GR on the doorpanel, 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 EXPEDmON & 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.

Commercial Coins 1787-1804., pp. 112-113

England — Middlesex

D & H 363 — Mail Coaches

Bell Pg: 112-113

O: A mail coach travelling. MAIL COACH HALFPENNY PAYABLE IN LONDON. Ex: TO TRADE EXPEDITION & TO PROPERTY PROTECTION.

A. 258

R: TO J. PALMER E^SQ THIS IS INSCRIBED AS A TOKEN OF GRATITUDE FOR BENEFITS RECE.^D FROM THE ESTABLISHMENT OF MAIL COACHES

E: Plain

In Gratitude for Mail Coaches - 4th