WE-8A3 1814 Wellington Half Penny Token Very Fine (VF20)

WE-8A3 1814 Wellington Half Penny Token Very Fine (VF-20)

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 right with the legend around.
Reverse: Britannia seated to the left holding an olive branch in her raised hand, a trident in her left, a shield bearing the Union flag at her side, a ship in the distant background, and the date below.

WE-8A3 Variety: On the obverse, the bust has a square epaulette, and there are eight leaves in the laurel wreath. On the reverse, there are ship sales in the left background, and the trident is large with two tines barbed.

Specifications:
Composition: Copper
Weight: 6.2 g 
Diameter: 27 mm
Edge: Engrailed
Die Axis: ↑↓