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21/4 Pence TBO Countermark on French Guiana 2 Sous
| Issuer | Tobago |
|---|---|
| Year | 1798 |
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| Value | 21/4 Pence (1⁄160) |
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| Composition | Log in to see details |
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| Obverse description | Log in to see details |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Log in to see details |
| Obverse lettering | TB O [COLONIE DE CAYENNE] [2] [SOUS] [A] (Translation: [Colony of Cayenne]) |
| Reverse description | The reverse displays the original design of the French Guiana 2 Sous host coin, featuring three fleurs-de-lis arranged in a triangular formation in the central field, surmounted by a royal crown. The circular legend reads 'LOUIS XVI · R · DE FR ET DE NAV.' identifying Louis XVI as King of France and Navarre. The obverse countermark has been struck with sufficient force to produce a corresponding incuse impression on the reverse field. A dotted border frames the entire design, and the surface shows the characteristic wear and patination consistent with colonial circulation. |
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| Additional information |
Tobago's chronic shortage of small change in the late 18th century led colonial authorities to counterstamp whatever foreign copper and billon came to hand. This piece — a French Guiana 2 Sous host — received the TBO mark and a revaluation to 1¾ pence under an 1798 ordinance authorizing the circulation of countermarked coinage on the island. The French Guiana 2 Sous itself was already a colonial expedient, struck in billon at a time when metropolitan France had little interest in supplying its Caribbean periphery with proper small denomination coinage.
Tobago changed hands repeatedly between Britain and France across this period, which complicates provenance on many survivors.