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1/2 Penny Sussex - Brightelmstone / W. Mighells
| Issuer | W. Mighells |
|---|---|
| Year | 1796 |
| Type | Emergency coin |
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|---|---|
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| Obverse lettering | BRIGHTELMSTONE * 1796 * HALFPENNY |
| Reverse description | The reverse displays a right-facing draped bust of William Shakespeare in high relief, rendered in a classical portrait style typical of late eighteenth-century British token engraving. The bust is unadorned and truncated at the shoulder, occupying the majority of the central field. The circular legend SHAKESPEAR. runs around the upper periphery in bold Roman capitals, with a stop following the final letter. The overall composition is attributable to the workshop of John Westwood Jr. and reflects the contemporary fashion for literary and cultural imagery on Conder tokens. |
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| Additional information |
Brightelmstone — the town now known as Brighton — was a minor fishing settlement until the Prince of Wales began visiting in the 1780s, after which it expanded faster than the Royal Mint could supply adequate small change. Tradesmen like W. Mighells issued copper tokens to fill the gap, a practice Parliament had largely tolerated since official halfpennies had become scarce and heavily counterfeited through the mid-century.
Dalton & Hamer's listing as DH#12 places this among the documented Sussex series, though Mighells remains obscure beyond the token itself.