Colonial Acres Coins
SKU: SKU:Aug.DOD-Q392
Great Britain 1799 Lady Godiva Coventry Halfpenny Token Fine (F12) DOD
Great Britain 1799 Lady Godiva Coventry Halfpenny Token Fine (F12) DOD
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Great Britain 1799 Lady Godiva Coventry Halfpenny Token Fine (F12) DOD
There are two Godivas in the context of Medieval England: one, the historically attested, 11th-century wife of Leofric of Mercia; and two, the legendary noblewoman who rode naked through Coventry to gain tax relief for her people, covered only by her hair. They may be, but probably are not, the same person. The Godiva legend first appeared in the 13th century and is, in many ways, a continuation of pre-Christian fertility rituals that saw a young May Queen led through Coventry to celebrate the arrival of spring.
This Coventry emergency token features Lady Godiva riding side-saddle on the obverse. The reverse shows an elephant carrying a castle on its back, a popular English symbol of strength and protection.
There are two Godivas in the context of Medieval England: one, the historically attested, 11th-century wife of Leofric of Mercia; and two, the legendary noblewoman who rode naked through Coventry to gain tax relief for her people, covered only by her hair. They may be, but probably are not, the same person. The Godiva legend first appeared in the 13th century and is, in many ways, a continuation of pre-Christian fertility rituals that saw a young May Queen led through Coventry to celebrate the arrival of spring.
This Coventry emergency token features Lady Godiva riding side-saddle on the obverse. The reverse shows an elephant carrying a castle on its back, a popular English symbol of strength and protection.
