1806 George III Penny Coin – Engraved J. Willingham Love/Remembrance Token

A good collectable copper coin as pictured. Please judge condition for yourself with the pictures provided.

Notes: An unusually elaborate early nineteenth-century engraved love or remembrance token, fashioned from a George III penny dated 1806. The reverse of the coin has been deliberately smoothed and extensively hand engraved, with the name “J. Willingham” prominently displayed in flowing script within a central oval cartouche. The surrounding field is filled with accomplished scrolling foliate and floral ornament. 

 Engraved copper coins of this period were frequently created as highly personal keepsakes, exchanged between sweethearts, relatives and friends as tokens of affection or remembrance, particularly at times of prolonged separation. Similar pieces are also well known in association with prisoners and transportation, although no such association is claimed for this example.

The identity of J. Willingham remains unconfirmed. An intriguing contemporary namesake is Joseph Willingham, who was portrayed by the distinguished British artist James Ward RA (1769–1859). Ward recorded that Willingham had killed a man during what Ward described as a period of mental disturbance and was subsequently permitted, while wearing fetters, to work in the lead-mining district at Castleton, Derbyshire. Ward was producing drawings of Castleton and its surroundings during the early nineteenth century. There is presently no evidence connecting Joseph Willingham with this token, and the similarity of name should therefore be regarded solely as an interesting avenue for further research.

The combination of a fully identifiable surname, an 1806 host coin and particularly extensive ornamental engraving makes this a notably attractive example of the British engraved love/remembrance-token tradition. 

 Research remains ongoing into the identity of J. Willingham.

Dimensions:

• Weight: 15.90g
• Diameter: 33.89mm
• Thickness: 2.66mm

Postage/Shipping:

• Royal Mail Tracked service. We are happy to combine postage.
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Dispatch:

• Same day dispatch before 09:30 (weekdays only).

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