½ Penny Middlesex - Political and Social series / Handel

½ Penny (Middlesex - Political and Social series / Handel) - obverse½ Penny (Middlesex - Political and Social series / Handel) - reverse

© ZacUK

Features

Issuer United Kingdom (United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies)
Type Token
Year 1791
Value ½ Penny (1⁄480)
Currency Conder tokens (1787-1797)
Composition Brass
Weight 10.36 g
Diameter 28 mm
Thickness 1.5 mm
Shape Round
Orientation Coin alignment ↑↓
Demonetized Yes
Number
N#
109177
References DH# 1023
Richard Dalton, Samuel H. Hamer ; 1918. The Provincial Token-Coinage of the 18th Century. Davisson's Ltd., London, United Kingdom.

Obverse

Bust of George Frederick Händel facing left, name inscribed below. Lettering around

Script: Latin

Lettering:
I KNOW THAT MY REDEEMER LIVETH
G. F. HANDEL

Reverse

Four lines of inscription in the centre, of which the lower one is a date; the upper and lower lines curved. Lettering around, with symbol of four dots in a diamond shape separating beginning from end

Script: Latin

Lettering:
BENEVOLENT CHORAL FUND INSTITUTED 1791
FOR ITS DECAY’D MEMBERS WIDOWS AND ORPHANS *

Edge

Plain

½ Penny (Middlesex - Political and Social series / Handel) -  obverse

© ZacUK

Comments

George Frederick Handel was a celebrated English composer and a contemporary of Johann Sebastian Bach. He is also portrayed on the reverse of a 1797 Norwich, Norfolk halfpenny token. Though German-born, he moved to London in 1727 and achieved great fame writing music for the coronation of King George II, plus other works.
This token was probably issued by the organisers of the fund as a means of raising money. Handel died in 1759 and the use of his name in connection with a choral fund appeal indicates the continuing popularity of his music. The quotation is from the ‘Messiah’ and the book of Job [19:25].

Also struck in copper, similar varieties exist (DH#1021, DH#1022).

See also

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Date VG F VF XF AU UNC
1791  Brass planchet
1791  Copper planchet

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