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England - 1794

Prince of Wales Elected GM.

Obverse:

Arms: (Sable [shown as gules on the token] on a chevron between three towers argent, a pair of compasses extended chevron-wise of the first).
Crest: (On a wreath, a dove proper). [The token shows a mound.]
Supporters: (Two beavers proper) and Motto: (Amor Honor et Justita) of the Society of F

Legend:

24 NOV. 1790 PRINCE OF WALES ELECTED GM. and an ornamental stop.

Edge:

MASONIC TOKEN I. SCETCHLEY FECIT .+.+.+.

Reverse:

A cupid amidst Masonic emblems in a triangle. Along the sides are inscribed in Italian characters: Wisdom Strength & Beauty

Legend:

SIT LUX ET LUX FUIT

Vern's Comments:

This is a second example of a token Dalton & Hamer lists as scarce. Without the counterstamp of the first example it's easier to see the detail. I've added the differences mentioned in D&H below.

Edge: There are five varieties of edge inscriptions: 1. MASONIC TOKEN I. SCETCHLEY FECIT 1794 x. 2. MASONIC TOKEN I. SCETCHLEY FECIT .+.+.+. 3. MASONIC HALFPENNY TOKEN MDCCXCIV .X.X.X 4. MASONIC TOKEN BROTHER SCETCHLEY BIRMINGHAM FACIT. (sic). 5. MASONIC TOKEN J. SKETCHLEY R.A. & P.G.S. BIRMINGHAM FECIT
Diesinker, Dixon; manufacturer, Lutwyche. Five cwts struck. Some of the edges are scarce or rare.
*Note: This is a Type 2 edge.

Look at the ribs on that beaver! Yup, alternating lines and dots... Comments. James Sketchley (note the correct spelling) was a printer, publisher and auctioneer: in 1763 he issued the first Birmingham Directory, which ran to four editions, the last dated 1770 being "Printed by and for J Sketchley at No. 61, O.Adams No. 83 in High Street; and S. Sketchley, No. 74 in Bull Street." About 1790 he published a book on Freemasonry which is now scarce.

He was a member of the "Twelve Apostles", or Minerva Club, a reform society in Birmingham; and he probably migrated to America. The Gentleman's Magazine for December, 1801, records the death at Pekipsy, near New York, of Mr. James Sketchley of Birmingham, and this was probably the issuer of the tokens. He was a freemason.

The reverse design shows a cupid and masonic emblems within a triangle which was regarded as the perfect figure; and in ancient mysticism was used as a symbol of God. The G at the top of the triangle also stands for God, and above is the All Seeing Eye. Each object depicted has its own meaning.

Cupid was the god of love; the Bible expressed the will of God; the Setting Mall symbolised the control over each member's irregularities of temper exercised by the Master of the Lodge; the Trowel was the jewel of the Select Master; the Plumb Rule represented upright conduct; the Compass represented the measure of a mason's life; the Square was the symbol of morality; WISDOM represented Solomon who was considered the founder of the order; STRENGTH was one of the three principal supports of masonry; BEAUTY was the third symbolic pillar supporting a lodge. SIT LUX ET LUX FUIT and the Lord said: "Let there be light, and there was light." Lux represented freemasonry, and the mason's search for light in surrounding darkness. On finding it they became "Sons of Light."

Commercial Coins 1787-1804., pp. 197-198

Marvin:

To be researched

England — Middlesex

D & H 370b — Masonic

Bell Pg: 197-198

O: The Freemasons' Arms &c. 24 NOV. 1790 PRINCE OF WALES ELECTED GM. The bodies of the supporters are ribbed.

R: Similar to last, but the rays are composed of alternate lines and dots, which descend below the arm and robe of the cupid, and there is no period after

E: MASONIC TOKEN I. SCETCHLEY FECIT .+.+.+.