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During the late 18th century, a chronic shortage of copper coinage resulted from rising copper prices, royal reluctance to have copper bear the regal image and demands of the Industrial Revolution. The royal coinage was widely counterfeited despite severe penalties for anyone caught. At the time, it was estimated that 2/3 of the halfpence in circulation were counterfeits.

Prior to 1771, counterfeiting copper was a misdemeanor and those caught were "chastised with exemplary severity"-meaning whipped. In 1771 the crime became a felony punishable by up to 2 years in prison. In many jails of the time that could be a death sentence.

The counterfeits were thin,crude, lightweight [less than 140 grains or 8.96 grams] copies of regal coins. Often they were struck from shallow dies to make them appear long accepted in circulation. Struck in both Britian and the American colonies, they illustrate the desperate shortage of small change in these times.

Sources:

  • British Tokens and Their Values by Seaby page 195 [1970] A Guide Book of United States Coins by Yeoman pages 47-48[1997]
  • The last one is Early American Coins by Vlack[1965]

 Contributed by:Michael Grogan

Links:

  • Early British Tokens