1 Farthing - Ironmonger Bishopsgate London
© ZacUK
Features
| Issuer |
United Kingdom
 |
|---|---|
| Type | Emergency coinage › Merchant tokens |
| Year | 1823 |
| Composition | Copper |
| Diameter | 23 mm |
| Thickness | 1 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Orientation | Medal alignment ↑↑ |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Number | N# 78539 |
| References | Withers 2# 2840 Paul Withers, Bente R. Withers; 2013. The Token Book 2 / Volume 2. Unofficial Farthings and their Values 1820-1901. Galata, Llanfyllin, United Kingdom. David Thornbory Batty. Batty's Catalogue of the Copper Coinage of Great Britain, Ireland, British Isles and Colonies. Manchester, United Kingdom (4 volumes). |
Obverse
Bust of Isaac Earlysman wearing a cap to left, lettering around. Toothed border
Script: Latin
Lettering:
IRONMONGER BISHOPSGATE
· LONDON ·
Engraver: Thomas Wyon
Reverse
Two men (one waving a flag with S on it, the other with G on it - for Sparrow and Green) in an ascending hot air balloon with the word SPARROW across it. Lettering around, date below. Toothed border
NOTE: There is a version with just 1823 below
Script: Latin
Lettering:
ASCENDED AT OXFORD
· JUNE 23 · 1823 ·
SPARROW
Engraver: Thomas Wyon
Edge
Obliquely milled ////
© ZacUK
Comments
1823 Copper Farthing Token: The date makes this rather late for a token, as tokens were outlawed after 1813. This piece has no indication of its value other than its size. It may have been intended as an advertising medallion (so a type of souvenir bought at aeronautic events), rather than a true token. It was issued by Sparrow, a London ironmonger - as a memento of his daring.
The balloon had been used as a symbol of Empire during the Victorian period, and Charles Green, a Victorian scientific figure, is interesting to study through portraiture and caricatures of the period. A figure of the Victorian romantic and a courageous aeronaut.
Isaac Earlysman Sparrow paid 50 Shillings to aeronaut Charles Green (a famous balloonist of the time) for the privilege of being allowed to encounter the perils of the voyage. They ascended from Oxford in a balloon on 23 June 1823 amid cheers from the crowd. Mr Green let the ballast go and the balloon hit a chimney and nearly threw the men out. The balloon did indeed crash land and both men were injured. A very interesting early manned balloon flight.
Isaac Earlysman Sparrow 1793-1830 - ironmonger, nail manufacturer, brassfounder - London, England.
Withers# 2850
The balloon had been used as a symbol of Empire during the Victorian period, and Charles Green, a Victorian scientific figure, is interesting to study through portraiture and caricatures of the period. A figure of the Victorian romantic and a courageous aeronaut.
Isaac Earlysman Sparrow paid 50 Shillings to aeronaut Charles Green (a famous balloonist of the time) for the privilege of being allowed to encounter the perils of the voyage. They ascended from Oxford in a balloon on 23 June 1823 amid cheers from the crowd. Mr Green let the ballast go and the balloon hit a chimney and nearly threw the men out. The balloon did indeed crash land and both men were injured. A very interesting early manned balloon flight.
Isaac Earlysman Sparrow 1793-1830 - ironmonger, nail manufacturer, brassfounder - London, England.
Withers# 2850
See also
Manage my collection
Please sign in or create an account to manage your collection.
| Date | VG | F | VF | XF | AU | UNC | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Undetermined | |||||||||||||||
| 1823 | |||||||||||||||
Get this coin
No member from this site currently wants to exchange it.
Numista Rarity index: 88
This index is based on the data of Numista members collections. It ranges from 0 to 100, 0 meaning a very common coin or banknote and 100 meaning a rare coin or banknote among Numista members.
Related forum discussions
Contribute to the catalogue
Modify or add data on this pageRegister a set with this type
Register a past auction sale
Register an example of this type
Duplicate this page
