Middlesex

County

The arms were officially granted on November 7, 1910.

The arms are based on the traditional arms of the Kingdom of the East and Middle Saxons, as used by Essex County Council. In the case of Middlesex, a Saxon crown was added at the time of the grant.

LONDON

The arms of London have never officially been granted, but have been recorded at the College of Arms, albeit without supporters and crest. The crest and helmet were granted on April 30, 1957.

The shield combines the cross of St. George with the emblem of the city’s patron, St. Paul. The first cathedral dedicated to St. Paul was built in 605 in the city.

PENNIES

1794 Middlesex Youngs copper Conder penny token

Obverse: View of St. Paul’s. Ex: 1794

Reverse: A star and garter. H. YOUNG . DEALER . IN COINS . NO. 1 8 .
LUDGATE . ST. LONDON

Edge: Plain

D&H Middlesex No. 39 A. 95

Kempson’s Series of London Buildings

Undated Middlesex Chelsea Hospital copper Conder penny token

Obverse: CHELSEA HOSPITAL Ex: ERECTED MDCXC .

Reverse: LONDON PENNY TOKEN *

Edge: Plain

D&H Middlesex No. 50 A. 41

National Series

1788 Middlesex National Series London Conder penny token in white metal

Obverse: Laureate bust to right between G III 1788 GOD SAVE THE KING

Reverse: Rays of sun over the arms of London, supported by the sword and mace. VISITED ST. PAULS . 23 APRIL 1789

Edge: plain

D&H Middlesex No. 176 A. 105

HALFPENNIES

1795 Middlesex Allen’s copper Conder halfpenny token

Obverse: Shield of arms, WILLIAM ALLEN LONDON, 1795

Reverse: Shield of arms, PROMISSORY HALFPENNY

Edge: Milled

D&H Middlesex No. 246b A. 167b

Undated Middlesex Bebbington copper Conder halfpenny token

Obverse: Laureate bust to right, LONDON & MIDDLESEX . HALFPENNY.

Reverse: The Prince of Wales’s crest on a
shield, under an umbrella, FOR . CHANGE . NO . FRAUD . BEBBINGTON

Edge: Plain

D&H Middlesex No. 254 A. 175

1796 Middlesex Biggar copper Conder halfpenny token

Obverse: C : BIGGAR | SPRING GARDEN | COFFEE HOUSE | AND HOTEL . | FOR | GENTLEMEN | AND | FAMILIES

Reverse: BIGGAR S | CORRECTED MSS. ARMY LIST | BY | SUBSCRIPTION COMMENCING | JANY. 1ST. | 1796. CONTINUED ANNUALLY. SUBSCRIPTION
TWO SHILLS. & SIX PENCE EACH *

Edge: Plain (not in collar)

D&H Middlesex No. 255a A. 176a

Undated Middlesex Burchell copper Conder halfpenny token

Obverse: BASIL BURCHELL SOLE PROPRIETOR OF THE FAMOUS SUGAR-PLUMBS FOR WORMS 7 8 . LONG-ACRE .

Reverse: BASIL BURCHELL SOLE PROPRIETOR OF THE ANODYNE NECKLACE FOR CHILDREN . CUTTING TEETH .

Edge: THIS IS NOT A COIN BUT A MEDAL . + . + . + . + .

D&H Middlesex No. 274 A. 193 (Scarce in Fine Condition (?))

1795 Middlesex Carter copper Conder halfpenny token

Obverse: A lady’s slipper, CARTER 32 JERMYN STREET LONDON 1795
The toe of the slipper points just above the T in “CARTER.”

Reverse: LADIES SHOE * MANUFACTORY *

Edge: Milled

D&H Middlesex No. 275 A. 194

1795 Middlesex Chelsea copper Conder halfpenny token

Obverse: A sailor with a wooden leg presenting a petition to
Britannia, CHELSEA. Ex : HALFPENNY.

Reverse: A figure of Hope leaning on an anchor, THE SUPPORT OF
OUR ENDEAVOUR. 1795

Edge: Milled

D&H Middlesex 277 A. 151

1795 Middlesex Coventry Street copper Conder halfpenny token

Obverse: A filtering stone, FOR PURIFYING WATER. Ex: 1 7 9 5

Reverse: THE FILTERING STONE WARE-HOUSE * COVENTRY STREET LONDON.

Edge: Blank

D&H Middlesex 292 A. 210

Davidson’s London (Middlesex) copper Conder halfpenny token dated 1795.

Obverse: A view of the seated “Mistress of the Metropolis” with St. Paul’s Cathedral in the background: SISE LANE HALFPENNY 1795

Reverse: A radiating triangle balanced on a sphere and held by two hands with a crown above: BRITISH CONSTITUTION KING LORDS COMMONS

Edge inscription: PAYABLE AT THE HOUSE OF T. & R. DAVIDSONS

T & R Davidsons were Pocket Book publishers with a business at 18 Sise Lane, Bucklersbury, London. Davidson was a supporter of Parliament during this period of political instability. Ex-W. Anderson Collection.

D&H Middlesex No: 295. A. 212 Diameter 29.6mm.

1795 Middlesex Dennis copper Conder halfpenny token

Obverse: A wheatsheaf. BAKERS HALFPENNY. 1795

Reverse: TO LESSEN | THE SLAVERY OF | SUNDAY BAKING | AND PROVIDE FOR PUBLIC WANTS : | AN ACT WAS PASSED. | A.D. 1 7 9 4

Edge: PAYABLE IN ANGLESEY LONDON OR LIVERPOOL.

D&H Middlesex No: 297a A. 214a

Rated as R (rare) in Dalton & Hamer

Undated Middlesex Dodd copper Conder halfpenny token

Obverse: Bust to right. * HANDEL * INSTRUMENTS TUN D & LENT TO HIRE.

Reverse: A harp in a radiated circle, DODD’S CHEAP SHOP FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS NEW STREET COVENT GARDEN.

D&H Middlesex No: 300 A. 215

1795 Middlesex Eaton copper Conder halfpenny token

Obverse: Bust to left, with FRANGAS NON FLECTES (you may break, you shall not bend me) on a ribbon under, D . I . EATON THREE TIMES ACQUITTED OF SEDITION.

Reverse: A cock crowing over pigs in a sty. PRINTER TO THE MAJESTY OF THE PEOPLE . LONDON . 1795 .

The Portrait is of Daniel Isaac Eaton, a printer and publisher, who published Thomas Paine’s  Rights of Man. Eaton was tried on a number of occasions for publishing seditious material. He was eventually found guilty of libel but managed to get away to America for three years, only to face fifteen month’s prison on his return, and the destruction of £28,000 worth of stock by fire. In 1812 he was sentenced to eighteen months in Newgate Prison and then an hour in the pillory where he was cheered and showered with flowers the whole time. He died in poverty a few years afterwards.

Thomas Paine was an English-born American political activist, philosopher, political theorist, and revolutionary. He authored the two most influential pamphlets at the start of the American Revolution and inspired the patriots in 1776 to declare independence from Great Britain.

A post from JLS, member on the predecimal.com coin forum:

“The other interesting fact I know about it is that the reverse design tells you where to get it redeemed! Eaton’s publishing house was based at the Cock and Swine, 74 Newgate Street, sadly long demolished. If you’re interested in more about Eaton, there’s a lot of academic literature which discusses his activities as his friends and clients were basically a who’s-who of the radical political scene of 1790s London.

Here’s the front page of Eaton’s edition of the Rights of Man, for reference, where he’s “Citizen Daniel Isaac Eaton, Printer to the Supreme Majesty of the People”. “

Edge: Milled

D&H Middlesex No: 301 A. 216

1795 Middlesex Burton Foundling Fields copper Conder halfpenny token

Obverse: A lamb, within a circle, FOUNDLING FIELDS 1 7 9 5

Reverse: A cypher I B within a circle. PAYABLE ON DEMAND.

Edge: Milled

D&H Middlesex No: 305 A. 220

1795 Middlesex Guest copper Conder halfpenny token

Obverse: Royal arms, supporters and crest. GUESTS PATENT BOOTS & SHOES

Reverse: A boot, shoe, and lady’s slipper. NO. 9 SURRY ST. BLACK FRIARS . ROAD . HALFPENNY 1795.

Edge: PAYABLE AT LONDON . + . + . + . + . + .

D&H Middlesex No: 308 A. 223

1795 Middlesex Guest copper Conder halfpenny token

Obverse: Royal arms, supporters and crest. GUESTS PATENT BOOTS & SHOES

Reverse: A boot, shoe, and lady’s slipper. NO. 9 SURRY ST. BLACK FRIARS . ROAD . HALFPENNY 1795.

Edge: PAYABLE IN DUBLIN OR AT BALLY-MURTAGH . + . + .

D&H Middlesex No: 308c A. 223c

Ex-Baldwin Vault bt F. S. Cokayne Collection

1795 Middlesex Rebello Hackney copper Conder halfpenny token

Obverse: View of a church, shield of arms at top, J . M. on the ground, HACKNEY CHURCH. E x : MCCXC.

Reverse: A cypher D A R, a knife and palm branch crossed below, a small
wreath above. HACKNEY PROMISSORY TOKEN 1 7 9 5

Edge: Plain

D&H Middlesex No: 309 A. 152

1795 Middlesex Dunstan copper Conder halfpenny token

Obverse: A deformed dwarf. SIR JEFFERY DUNSTAN MAYOR OF GARRAT.

Reverse: TO BE HAD AT THE CURIOSITY HOUSE CITY ROAD + NEAR | FINSBURY SQUARE I LONDON I 1 7 9 5 .

Edge: Plain (not in collar)

D&H Middlesex No: 315c A. 226a

Undated Middlesex Hall’s Toucan Halfpenny Conder Token

Obverse: toucan sitting on tlie branch of a tree, TO . THE . CURIOUS . OBSERVERS . OF . NATURAL . PHENOMENA.

Reverse: THE 1ST ARTIST IN EUROPE in four lines in the centre, T . HALL . PRESERVER . OF . BIRDS . BEASTS .
OR . REPTILES. CITTY . ROAD . NEAR . FINSBURY . SQUARE, in a double circle.

Edge: Milled

D&H Middlesex No. 319c

1795 Middlesex Hatfield copper Conder halfpenny token

Obverse: A naked leg within a circle. I. HATFIELD GOLDEN-LEGG + SNOWHILL + LONDON

Reverse: BOOT & SHOE MANUFACTORY SHOPKEEPERS SUPPLIED ON REASONABLE
TERMS. 1 7 9 5

Edge: Plain

D&H Middlesex No. 323 A. 234

Ex. Baldwin

1795 Middlesex Hendon copper Conder halfpenny token

Obverse: View of a church, HENDON . VALUE . ONE HALFPENNY.

Ex: 1 7 9 4 .

Reverse: Bust to left, DAVID GARRICK . ESQR.

Edge: Plain

D&H Middlesex No. 325 A. 156

Undated Halfpenny Middlesex Strand Conder Token Kelly’s Light Harness Company

Obverse: A postilion holding a harnessed horse.
KELLY’S LIGHT HARNESS &c. EX : SOLD CHEAP AT THEIR | MANUFACTORY | STRAND I LONDON.

Reverse: A saddle, Spur, &C. KELLYS PATENT SADLERY &c. SOLD CHEAP.

Edge: PAYABLE AT LONDON . + . + . + .

D&H Middlesex No. 345 A. 240

1795 Middlesex Kilvington Halfpenny Conder Token

Obverse: Laureate bust. PAYABLE AT J . KILVINGTONS. The point of laurel comes under the J.

Reverse: Figure of Britannia. BRUNSWICK HALFPENNY Ex: 1795

Edge: Engrailed

D&H Middlesex No. 346 A. 241

1795 Middlesex Kilvington Halfpenny Conder Token

Obverse: Laureate bust. BRUNSWICK HALFPENNY 1795

Reverse: A man of war sailing, THE GUARD & GLORY OF BRITAIN

Edge: Engrailed (chain-link)

D&H Middlesex No. 349 A. 244

1794 Middlesex Lackington’s Figure of Fame Halfpenny Conder Token

Obverse: A three-quarter bust to left. J . LACKINGTON. 1794. The 1 of date is some little distance to the right of the button.

Reverse: A figure of Fame, blowing a trumpet, HALFPENNY OF .J. LACKINGTON & CO. CHEAPEST BOOKSELLERS IN THE WORLD.

Edge: PAYABLE AT THE TEMPLE OF THE MUSES * /  * / * /

D&H Middlesex No. 354 A. 250

1795 Middlesex Lackington’s Figure of Fame Halfpenny Conder Token

Obverse: Profile bust to right, J. LACKINGTON. FINSBURY SQUARE
1795 in place of cross under the bust.

Reverse: A figure of Fame, blowing a trumpet, HALFPENNY OF .J. LACKINGTON & CO. CHEAPEST BOOKSELLERS IN THE WORLD.

Edge: Milled to left. //////

D&H Middlesex No. 357a A. 253a

1795 Middlesex Lackington’s Figure of Fame Halfpenny Conder Token

Obverse: Profile bust to right, J. LACKINGTON. FINSBURY SQUARE
1795 in place of cross under the bust.

Reverse: A smaller figure of Fame, blowing a trumpet, HALFPENNY OF .J. LACKINGTON & CO. CHEAPEST BOOKSELLERS IN THE WORLD.

Edge: Milled to right. \\\\\\

D&H Middlesex No. 358 A. 254

1795 Middlesex Lackington’s Figure of Fame Halfpenny Conder Token

Obverse: Profile bust to right, J. LACKINGTON. FINSBURY SQUARE
1795 in place of cross under the bust.

Reverse: A smaller figure of Fame, blowing a trumpet, HALFPENNY OF .J. LACKINGTON & CO. CHEAPEST BOOKSELLERS IN THE WORLD.

Edge: Milled to right. \\\\\\

Gilt

D&H Middlesex No. 358 A. 254

Undated Middlesex Lackington’s Lyceum Halfpenny Conder Token

Obverse: Mercury standing on a galloping horse. THE . FIRST . EQUESTN. PERFORMANCE . IN . EUROPE. Ex:
LYCEUM STRAND LONDON.

Reverse: A man balancing himself upon his head on the point of a sword, SINGING DANCING TUMBLING SLACK
WIRE &C. Ex : EVERY EVENING.

Edge: PAYABLE AT LONDON BATH OR MANCHESTER +

D&H Middlesex No. 362a

Undated Middlesex Mailcoach Halfpenny Conder Token

Obverse: A mail coach travelling, MAIL COACH HALFPENNY PAYABLE IN LONDON.
Ex: TO TRADE EXPEDITION & TO PROPERTY PROTECTION.

Reverse: TO J. PALMER. ESQ. | THIS IS INSCRIBED | AS A TOKEN OF | GRATITUDE | FOR BENEFITS RECED. | FROM THE ESTABLISHMENT | OF MAIL COACHES. A cypher J F
under.

Edge: Plain

D&H Middlesex No. 363 A. 258

Undated Middlesex Mailcoach Halfpenny Conder Token

Obverse: A mail coach travelling, MAIL COACH HALFPENNY PAYABLE IN LONDON.
Ex: TO TRADE EXPEDITION & TO PROPERTY PROTECTION.

Reverse: A cypher A F H TO J . PALMER ESQ. THIS IS INSCRIBED

Edge: Plain

D&H Middlesex No. 363 A. 258

1794 Halfpenny Middlesex Masonic Conder Token

Obverse: The Freemasons’ Arms. PRINCE OF WALES ELECTED GM. (Grand Master). The bodies of the supporters are ribbed.

Reverse: A cupid and Masonic emblems within a triangle, WISDOM STRENGTH & BEAUTY. SIT LUX ET LUX FUIT (let there be light)

Edge: MASONIC TOKEN I. SCETCHLEY FECIT . + . + . + .

D&H Middlesex No. 370b Diameter 28.7 mm

1795 Middlesex Moore’s Halfpenny Conder Token

Obverse: A girl sitting under a tree making lace. LACE MANUFACTORY. 1795 within a double circle.

Reverse: A scroll inscribed MUSLINS IRISH CLOTH HOSE &C. within a circle. MOORE. NO. 116 GREAT PORTLAND
STREET *

Edge: Milled (coarse)

D&H Middlesex No. 389

1794 Halfpenny Middlesex Newgate Prison Conder Token

Obverse: Front view of a prison, NEWGATE Ex : MDCCXCIV

Reverse: PAYABLE I AT | THE RESIDENCE | OF MESSRS SYMONDS | WINTERBOTHAM | RIDGWAY | & | HOLT

Edge: Milled

D&H Middlesex No. 393 A. 279

1795 Halfpenny Middlesex Newgate Prison Conder Token

Obverse: A different view with tower in the centre.
Ex: 1795 between sprigs

Reverse: PAYABLE I AT | THE RESIDENCE | OF MESSRS SYMONDS | WINTERBOTHAM | RIDGWAY | & | HOLT

Edge: Milled

D&H Middlesex No. 396b A. 282b

1795 London Middlesex Richardson’s copper Conder halfpenny token.

Obverse: View of Lady Fortune standing between two 18^th century lottery wheels with legend: “NOTHING VENTURE NOTHING HAVE 1795”.

Reverse: Legend on six lines and round circumference: “AT THE OFFICES OF RICHARDSON GOODLUCK & Co No 12807 THE LAST PRIZE OF £30,000 SHARED WAS SOLD IN SIXTEENTHS”.

Edge: Plain

Richardson, Goodluck & Co., were stock-brokers and lottery-office keepers with a business at No. 104 Bank Building, Cornhill in the City, and at No. 8 Charing Cross in the West End of London. Goodluck was an old country woman who was made a partner purely for the use of her name. She received a payment of £50.00 per year and had no further interest in the firm.  Usual die flaw on obverse.

D&H Middlesex No: 468. Diameter 31mm.

Undated Middlesex Salter’s Halfpenny Conder Token

Obverse: Hat makers at work, SALTER’S . 47 CHARING . CROSS LONDON

Reverse: A shop – front within a circle. CHEAPEST HAT-WAREHOUSE IN THE WORLD. *

Edge: Plain

D&H Middlesex No. 473

1795 Middlesex Schooling’s Halfpenny Conder Token

Obverse: A figure of Justice, SCHOOLING &SON SCALE MAKERS. Ex: NO. 44 BISHOPSGATE WITHIN LONDON

Reverse: A tea kettle standing on a stove. FURNISHING IRONMONGERS & SMITHS AT THEIR MANUFACTORY

Ex: CRISPIN STREET SPITALFIELDS 1795

Edge: Plain

D&H Middlesex No. 474

1795 Middlesex Shackelton’s Halfpenny Conder Token

Obverse: The royal arms, crest, &c. SHACKELTON LODON *

Reverse: A candle mould, FINE MOULD AND STORE CANDLES * 1794

The tail of unicorn comes to the O of “LONDON”

Edge: PAYABLE IN SUFFOLK – STREET HAY – MARKET . X . . X .

D&H Middlesex No. 477 A. 359

1795 Middlesex Skidmore’s High Holborn Halfpenny Conder Token

Obverse: A register stove. NO 123 HIGH HOLBORN LONDON within a circle, PAYABLE AT SKIDMORES FURNISHING REPOSITORY *

Reverse: Two men at a forge, MANUFACTORY . & . IRON-FOUNDRY . CLERKENWELL -* Ex: 1795.

Edge: Milled

D&H Middlesex No. 480 A. 361

1795 Halfpenny Middlesex Spittle’s St. Pauls Conder Token

Obverse: View of St. Paul’s. LONDON AND BRIGHTON HALFPENNY

Reverse: Shield of Arms, PAYABLE AT THE WAREHOUSE OF I. SPITTLE LONDON OR OF I. KIRBY OR R. LASHMAR
BRIGHTON 1 7 9 5

Edge: Plain

D&H Middlesex No. 902 A. 720

1795 Halfpenny Middlesex Spittle’s St. Pauls Conder Token

Obverse: View of St. Paul’s. LONDON AND BRIGHTON HALFPENNY

Reverse: Shield of Arms, PAYABLE AT THE WAREHOUSE OF I. SPITTLE LONDON OR OF I. KIRBY OR R. LASHMAR
BRIGHTON 1 7 9 5

Edge: Plain

D&H Middlesex No. 902 A. 720

1795 Halfpenny Middlesex Spittle’s St. Pauls Conder Token

Obverse: View of St. Paul’s. LONDON AND BRIGHTON HALFPENNY Ex. ST. PAULS

Reverse: Shield of Arms, PAYABLE AT THE WAREHOUSE OF I. SPITTLE LONDON 1795

Edge: Plain

D&H Middlesex No. 903 A. 721

1795 Halfpenny Middlesex Whitfield’s Conder Token

Obverse: A bust to left

Reverse: A large cypher I M d Co., the date 1795 under

Edge: Plain

D&H No. 911b A. 728

1795 Halfpenny Middlesex William Williams Conder Token

Obverse: The arms of the City of London with legend: “FEAR GOD AND HONOUR THE KING 1795”.

Reverse: A portcullis surmounted by the Prince of Wales’ crest with legend: “W. WILLIAMS LONDON”, “RENDER TO CAESAR THE THINGS THAT ARE CAESAR’S”.

Edge: Plain

D&H No. 915 A. 730 Diameter 29mm

1795 Halfpenny Middlesex William Williams Conder Token

Obverse: The arms of the City of London with legend: “FEAR GOD AND HONOUR THE KING 1795”.

Reverse: A portcullis surmounted by the Prince of Wales’ crest with legend: “W. WILLIAMS LONDON”, “RENDER TO CAESAR THE THINGS THAT ARE CAESAR’S”.

Edge: Plain

D&H No. 915 A. 730 Diameter 29mm

Issued by William Williams who was originally a grinder and latterly a button manufacturer with a business at 103 St. Martin’s Lane, Charing Cross, London. It is thought he was Welsh by the inclusion of the Prince of Wales’ crest.

“Render unto Caesar” is the beginning of a phrase attributed to Jesus in the synoptic gospels, which reads in full, “Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and unto God the things that are God’s”

This phrase has become a widely quoted summary of the relationship between Christianity secular government, and society. The original message, coming in response to a question of whether it was lawful for Jews to pay taxes to Caesar, gives rise to multiple possible interpretations about the circumstances under which it is desirable for the Christian to submit to earthly authority.

National Series

1788 Middlesex National Series London copper Conder halfpenny token.

Obverse: Laureate bust to right. GULIELMUS . III . DEI . . 1688 . .

Reverse: NOVR. 4TH 1788 within a wreath. GLORIOUS  . REVOLUTION . JUBILEE .

Edge: scalloped

D&H No. 948 A. 57

Undated Halfpenny Middlesex Princess of Wales Conder Token

Obverse: Three-quarter bust to right, GEO. PRINCE OF WALES. HALFPENNY below the bust.

Reverse: The royal arms, &c., with the Prince of Wales’ motto under.
LONDON AND MIDDLESEX. HALFPENNY.

Edge: PAYABLE AT LONDON OR DUBLIN = ° X °X °

D&H Middlesex 953a A. 742a

1795 Halfpenny Middlesex Princess of Wales Conder Token

Obverse: Three-quarter bust to left, PRINCESS OF WALES.

Reverse: The Prince of Wales’ crest above a portcullis, HALFPENNY 1795

Edge: Milled \\\\\\\\

D&H Middlesex 977 A. 167

1795 Halfpenny Middlesex Duke of York Conder Token

Obverse: Bust to right, FREDK DUKE OF YORK HALFPENNY 1 7 9 5

Reverse: A man-of-war sailing to the left. THE WOODEN WALLS OF OLD ENGLAND

Edge: PAYABLE IN LANCASTER LONDON OR BRISTOL

D&H Middlesex 985 A. 178

Political and Social Series

Undated Halfpenny Middlesex Erskine and Erskine & Gibbs Conder Token

Obverse: Bust to left. HON. T. ERSKINE.

Reverse: A FRIEND | TO FREEDOM | & RIGHTS | OF MAN.

Edge: Blank

D&H Middlesex No. 1010 A. 85

Thomas Erskine, 1st Baron Erskine, KT, PC, KC (10 January 1750 – 17 November 1823) was a British lawyer and politician. He served as Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain between 1806 and 1807 in the Ministry of All the Talents.

In 1792 he would, against the advice of his friends, take on the defence of Thomas Paine who had been charged with seditious libel after the publication of the second part of his Rights of Man. Paine was tried in his absence; he was in France. Erskine argued for the right of a people to criticise, reform and change its government; he made the point that a free press produces security in the government. But in this case his arguments failed to convince the special jury, who returned a verdict of guilty without even retiring. Erskine’s speech is also remembered for a passage on the duty of barristers to take on even unpopular cases:

“I will for ever, at all hazards, assert the dignity, independence, and integrity of the English Bar, without which impartial justice, the most valuable part of the English constitution, can have no existence. From the moment that any advocate can be permitted to say that he will or will not stand between the Crown and the subject arraigned in the court where he daily sits to practise, from that moment the liberties of England are at an end.”

Erskine’s decision to defend Paine cost him his position as attorney-general (legal advisor) to the Prince of Wales, to which he had been appointed in 1786.

Erskine was counsel for the defence in the treason trials
In 1794 William Pitt’s government, fearful of a revolution, decided to take action against people who were campaigning for parliamentary reform. Habeas corpus was suspended and twelve members of radical societies were imprisoned and charged with a variety of offences amounting to high treason. Erskine and Vicary Gibbs were assigned as counsel to seven of them. They were not paid for their services, as it was considered unprofessional to take fees for defending people charged with high treason. The treason trials began on 28 October before Lord Chief Justice Eyre at the Old Bailey with the trial of Thomas Hardy, a shoemaker and secretary of the London Corresponding Society. After eight days of evidence and speeches, including Erskine’s seven-hour speech on the final day, and several hours deliberation, the jury returned a verdict of not guilty. Erskine was hailed as a hero by the crowds outside who unharnessed his horses (which he never saw again) and pulled his carriage through the streets. Although it was usual in cases where several people were jointly charged with high treason to discharge the rest if the first was acquitted, the government persisted with the trials of John Horne Tooke and John Thelwall. They too, defended by Erskine and Vicary Gibbs, were acquitted and it was only then that the prosecution was halted. A disappointed government had to scrap a further 800 warrants of arrest.

1794 Halfpenny Middlesex Erskine and Erskine & Gibbs Conder Token

Obverse: Two barristers standing, holding a label, inscribed ” B I L L OF R I G H T S . ” Another label above them has
“MAGNA CHARTA” inscribed upon it . ERSKINE AND GIBBS AND TRIAL BY JURY

Reverse: T. HARDY. | I . H. TOOKE. | T. HOLCROFT. I . A. BONNEY. | J . JOYCE. S. KID. J . THELWALL. | I . RICHTER. | I. BAXTER. | 1 7 9 4 .

Edge: Milled

D&H Middlesex No. 1012 A. 86a

1794 Middlesex Political and Social Series London copper Conder halfpenny token.

Obverse: A map of France with a foot at it’s centre. The legend (and it’s interpretation) as follows: “HONOR” (trodden underfoot), “THRONE” (turned upside down), “FRA-NCE” (divided), “RE\LI/GI\ON” (cut in pieces), “GLORY” (defaced), “FIRE” (in each corner), daggers (i.e. murder on every side), and bloodshed all over with legend: “A MAP OF FRANCE 1794”.

Reverse: Legend over a radiating star within a wreath of oak leaves: “MAY GREAT BRITAIN EVER REMAIN THE REVERSE” (i.e. the opposite of the anarchy in France).

Edge: engrailed

This was designed to make a satirical comment against the French whose revolution had recently overthrown the monarchy.

D&H Middlesex No: 1017f A. 99e Diameter 29mm

1793 Halfpenny Middlesex Newton Conder Token

Obverse: Bust to left. SR. ISAAC NEWTON

Reverse: A caduceus, olive branch, and cornucopia, HALFPENNY 1793

Edge: Engrailed

D&H Middlesex 1033 A. 126

1795 Halfpenny Middlesex Romaine Conder Token

Obverse: Bust front face, JACOBS F. under REVD. W. ROMAINE, M.A. 1795

William Romaine (1714 at Hartlepool – 1795), evangelical divine of the Church of England, was author of works once highly thought of by the evangelicals, the trilogy The Life, the Walk, and the Triumph of Faith.

Reverse: Arms in a double circle I LIVE BY THE FAITH OF THE SON OF GOD

Edge: Plain

D&H Middlesex 1036 A. 138

1793 Halfpenny Middlesex Stag Conder Token

Obverse: A Stag. FREEDOM WITH INNOCENCE

Reverse: A plough. INDUSTRY SUPPLIETH WANT. Ex : 1 7 9 6

Edge: PAYABLE IN LONDON. The remainder engrailed to right >>>>>
on a smaller flan.

D&H Middlesex 1041a A. 750

1794 Halfpenny Middlesex Tooke Conder Token

Obverse: A full face bust, IOHN HORNE TOOKE ESQR.

Reverse: The names of the jury in a square ; ERSKINE above, GIBBS below. BRITISH JUSTICE DISPLAY’D NOVR. 1794

Edge: PAYABLE AT LONDON LIVERPOOL OR BRISTOL . — .

D&H Middlesex 1044a A. 149a

FARTHINGS

1803 Middlesex Orchard Farthing Conder Token

Obverse: ROBERT ORCHARD | GROCER | & | TEA DEALER | NO 3 4 GREEK ST. | SOHO | LONDON | WHOLESALE & RETAIL 1803

Reverse: A building, ROBERT . ORCHARD . TEA . WAREHOUSE . CORNER OF CHURCH ST . AND . AT SAW BRIDGEWORTH HARTS

Edge: Plain

D&H 1062 A. 762

Undated Middlesex Pidcock’s Farthing Conder Token

Obverse: An elephant, JAMES under it. * PIDCOCK’S * EXHIBITION.

Reverse: A cockatoo standing on a branch of a tree, EXETER CHANGE STRAND LONDON.

Edge: Milled

D&H 1067 A. 767

The Exeter Exchange (signed and popularly known as Exeter Change) was a building on the north side of the Strand in London, with an arcade extending partway across the carriageway. It is most famous for the menagerie that occupied its upper floors for over fifty years, from 1773 until the building was demolished in 1829.

The menagerie at the Exeter Exchange at various times included lions, tigers, monkeys, and other exotic species, all confined in iron cages in small rooms. The roaring of the big cats could be heard in the street below, occasionally scaring horses that passed by. The menagerie was established by Thomas Clark and was purchased in 1793 by Gilbert Pidcock.

1796 Middlesex Skidmore Farthing Conder Token

Obverse: Laureate bust to left. GOD SAVE THE KING

Reverse: MAY A | FLOWING | TRADE FOLLOW | A SPEEDY AND | HONORABLE |PEACE I 1796

Edge: Plain

D&H 1127 A. 188

Undated Middlesex George III and Charlotte Farthing Conder Token

Obverse: Two busts to right, K . F . under, GEORGIUS III ET CHARLOTTE . REX ET REG.

Reverse: A palm branch across a lyre. PEACE AND HARMONY.

Edge: Plain

D&H 1133 A. 194

Rated as “Scarce” in D&H

1795 Middlesex Prince and Princess of Wales Farthing Conder Token

Obverse: Two busts to left, GEO & CAROLINE PRINCE & PRINCESS OF WALES

Reverse: The Prince’s crest, between sprigs. MAY THE UNION BE CROWNED WITH HAPPINESS APRIL 8 1795

Edge: Plain

Struck in brass

D&H 1143 A. 248

Rated as “Scarce” in D&H

1793 Farthing Middlesex Newton Conder Token

Obverse: Bust to left. SR. ISAAC NEWTON.

Reverse: A cornucopia and olive branch. FARTHING . 1 7 9 3 .

Edge: Milled \\\\

D&H Middlesex 1151 A. 220

1793 Farthing Middlesex Newton Conder Token

Obverse: Bust to left. Ic. NEWTON

Reverse: A cypher, T.H, FARTHING 1793

Edge: Plain

D&H Middlesex 1159 A. 228

1793 Farthing Middlesex Newton Conder Token

Obverse: Bust to left. Ic. NEWTON

Reverse: Female seated holding spear and branch, FARTHING. Ex: 1793

Edge: Plain

D&H Middlesex 1160 A. 229

1795 Middlesex Farthing Conder Token

Obverse: A cypher, W P FARTHING

Reverse: A canister inscribed ‘TEA’ PRO . BONO . PUBLICO . 175 7 .

Edge: Plain

D&H 1171 A. 243

Rated as “Scarce” in D&H