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1 1/2 Pence Black Dog, T countermark on French 2 sous
| Issuer | Tortola |
|---|---|
| Year | 1801 |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
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|---|---|
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| Reverse description | The reverse retains the worn and heavily circulated surface of the original French 2 sous host coin, with a second application of the rectangular incuse 'T' countermark prominently struck in the central field. Residual traces of the host coin's original design are discernible beneath the countermark, though largely effaced by wear and the force of the counterstamping. The billon surface exhibits characteristic dark patination and surface granularity associated with heavily circulated colonial countermarked issues. |
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| Edge | Plain |
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| Additional information |
The "Black Dog" was a common name applied to debased French colonial billon sous that circulated widely across the Caribbean after France's monetary system fractured during the Revolutionary period. Tortola, like several other British possessions in the region, faced a chronic shortage of small change and resolved it pragmatically — countermarking whatever foreign copper and billon coinage was already in local hands rather than waiting on London. The crowned "T" punch authorized these pieces for circulation at 1½ pence local currency.
The host coins were French 2 sous struck for colonial use, already badly debased before countermarking.