Up for sale is an original 1812 Cornish One Penny Copper Token issued at Scorrier House in Cornwall, England, during the Regency-era British currency shortage.
Historical Background:
During the Napoleonic Wars, Great Britain suffered a severe shortage of royal copper coinage to pay laborers. In 1811–1812, Cornish mining magnate John Williams III (1753–1841) struck his own penny tokens using copper from his Cornish mines to pay his workforce. Because 240 pence equaled one British pound sterling, the token explicitly guaranteed redemption in £1 bank notes for every 240 tokens presented at his estate, Scorrier House.
Token Specifications:
- Country / County: Great Britain, Cornwall (Scorrier, near Redruth)
- Year: 1812
- Denomination: One Penny Token (1/240th of a Pound)
- Composition: Copper (approx. 34–35mm, ~18.5g–19.5g)
- Obverse Design: Plume of three ostrich feathers (Arms of the Prince of Wales / Duke of Cornwall) with motto ribbon below, surrounded by a garter belt inscribed CORNISH PENNY.
- Reverse Design: Industrial Cornish mining scene depicting a smoking beam-engine pumping house and mine winding gear (horse whim), surrounded by a banner reading PAYABLE AT SCORRIER HOUSE and ONE POUND / FOR / 240 TOKENS / 1812 in exergue below.
- Catalog References: Davis 25 / Withers 687 / Numista #129435
Condition & Eye Appeal:
- Grade Estimate: Circulated Fine (F) condition with clear industrial and heraldic motifs (please judge condition for yourself using the detailed photos provided).
- Details: The iconic Cornish mine engine house, smoking chimney, winding whim, and 1812 date remain bold and legible on the reverse, as do the Prince of Wales feathers and CORNISH PENNY legend on the obverse.
- Surfaces: Shows honest heavy circulation wear, surface marks/scratches, and some earthen/greenish patina in the recessed areas typical of working 1812 Cornish mining tokens that saw heavy daily use in the mining towns.
You will receive the exact 1812 token pictured. Ships securely in a padded mailer with full tracking.