WE-1A3 1813 Field Marshal Wellington Half Penny Token F-VF (F15)

WE-1A3 Field Marshal Wellington Half Penny Token F-VF (F15)

Wellington tokens are among the most recognizable and widely collected pieces of early nineteenth-century British and Canadian exonumia. Originally struck in Britain following the victories of Arthur Wellesley, the 1st Duke of Wellington, during the Napoleonic Wars, these copper tokens celebrated his military achievements and often featured his portrait alongside patriotic inscriptions and military imagery. Although they were not official government coinage, vast quantities were produced by private manufacturers and merchants to help alleviate the shortage of small change that plagued Britain and its colonies. Many Wellington tokens found their way to British North America, where they circulated extensively in Upper and Lower Canada alongside local merchant tokens and other privately issued pieces.

Obverse: Cuirassed and laureate bust facing left with the legend around.
Reverse: Seated Britannia facing left, holding an olive branch in her raised right hand, a trident in her left, a shield with the Union flag resting at her side, with the date below and the denomination above.

WE-1A3 Variety: The edge is engrailed, the flan is thick, and the token has a coinage die axis.

Specifications:
Composition: Copper
Weight: 9.5 g
Diameter: 28 mm
Edge: Engrailed
Die Axis: ↑↓