
FAQs
What makes a coin valuable?
I have coins to sell, what’s the next step?
How will my purchases be shipped?
What happens if I’m not entirely happy with my purchase?
Benjamin Franklin Press Halfpenny 1794
18th Century Token, Middlesex, copper Halfpenny, 1794, The Franklin Press London, image of press, date below, Latin legend surrounding commences at bottom left, .SIC ORITUR DOCTRINA SURGETQUE LIBERTAS, rev. inverted die axis, five line inscription, PAYABLE / AT/ THE FRANKLIN / PRESS / LONDON, edge plain, weight 7.51g (D&H 307a; Breen 1165; Whitman 8850). Two flan flaws at top of reverse, black tone spot, raised die flaw at ERT of obverse legend, otherwise toned, with an excellent depiction of the press, extremely fine.
The Latin legend translates as "In this manner learning springs forth and liberty rises up" and is thought to relate to John Watt's printing works in London where Benjamin Franklin once worked. The actual press depicted on the token is now in the Smithsonian Institute and the tokens were seemingly struck from one pair of dies as examples often exhibit the same inherent flaws. This piece seems to be finer than most offered in auction sales recently.
Provenance: This coin illustrated in "Coinage and Currency in Eighteenth Century Britain, The Provincial Coinage" by David W Dykes, page 316, number 351.
Originally purchased from Spink and Son Ltd by Dr Dykes circa 1996-97 period when Antony Wilson was in charge of the trade tokens.




