BIRMINGHAM 1/2d. token 1792, H BIGGS, possibly UNIQUE ! Start Price GBP 275.00 Current Price GBP 275.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Friday, November 14, 2008 End Time Sunday, December 14, 2008 Location London See more about 'BIRMINGHAM 1/2d. token 1792, H BIGGS, possibly UNIQUE !' Description BIRMINGHAM 1/2d. token 1792, H BIGGS, possibly UNIQUE ! Description Copper halfpenny token issued in 1792 by H. Biggs of Birmingham.  However, the coin consists of two reverses - which is recorded in Dalton & Hamer but not illustrated ! Obverse : fleur de Lys.  Reverse : fleur de Lys.  Edge  :  'PAYABLE AT HENRY BIGGS MOORE STREET'. Henry Biggs was a licensed victualer and kept a Public House on Moore Street in Birmingham, called the General Elliott. Consequently, the obverse of this token is normally a portrait of General Elliott - but in  this case the coin consists of two reverses ! This is sometimes met with when the coin is a concoction and is either an electrotype or the same sides of two genuine coins joined together.  However, in this instance that is not the case and there is no trace of a seam or join around the edge of the coin and it rings true - an electrotype or joined coin always has a dull, dead ring. It is a genuine, struck coin and is recorded in Dalton & Hamer but with no illustration, I have never seen one before, nor know of another one that has ever been offered for sale.  The fact that it is not illustrated suggests there was no available specimen in the big collections at the time in the early 20th.century when the Dalton and Hamer's magnus opus was compiled. In fact, at the back of D&H, on page 557, it is listed as 'NOT TRACED' and is therefore excessively rare and if it is not unique will only exist as two or three examples.  It  also  has a very good provenance and is from the Cockayne Collection. D&H Warks. 70bis        30mm.        11.16gm.       Excessively Rare (RRR). Listed in D&H as untraced.      ex Cockayne col. (sold with his ticket). VERY FINE,  two minor edge knocks. Place a Bid!