1 Farthing Middlesex - T. Spence

Historical Context: This copper farthing token from Middlesex, referenced as DH#1083, emerged during the reign of King George III, specifically in the late 18th century (circa 1790s). This period was marked by a severe national shortage of regal small change, compelling merchants and entrepreneurs to issue their own privately minted tokens to facilitate commerce. Thomas Spence, a radical bookseller and political pamphleteer based in London, was a prolific issuer of such tokens. His issues were not merely economic instruments but also served as vehicles for his progressive and often satirical political messages, advocating for land reform and universal suffrage amidst a backdrop of social unrest and calls for parliamentary reform.

Artistry: While the specific engraver for Spence’s tokens is not definitively recorded, they were typically produced by commercial die-sinkers in Birmingham or London, such as those associated with the workshops of John Milton or Peter Wyon. The stylistic school leans towards a utilitarian, illustrative approach, prioritizing the clear communication of Spence's political agenda over refined artistic flourishes. For DH#1083, the design often features direct textual slogans like "SPENCE'S GLORIOUS PLAN / FOR EVER" on the obverse and "IF YOU WOULD HAVE A REFORM / PEACEABLY OBTAIN IT" on the reverse, accompanied by allegorical or symbolic imagery, such as a pig and a dog fighting over a bone, serving as a potent visual metaphor for political struggle.

Technical/Grading: Struck on a copper planchet weighing 4.13 grams and measuring 20.18 millimeters, this token exhibits characteristics typical of 18th-century private issues. High points susceptible to wear include the raised lettering, the details within any allegorical figures, and the highest relief elements of the animal representations on the reverse. Collectors should examine the sharpness of the peripheral legends and the definition of the pig and dog on DH#1083. Technical strike quality can vary significantly, with early strikes exhibiting strong, even details and full rims, while later strikes from fatigued dies may show weakness, particularly in the finer elements and along the edges, and sometimes exhibit planchet flaws or laminations common to the period.