I have two blacksmith tokens, which I am told are counterfeit coins that were made during the early 1800's.
I have seen some examples, but don't know how to identify the type that they are, or the value. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
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They look like authentic blacksmith tokens, but it’s important to know which obverse goes with which reverse, and also the axis of the coins. So, if the head is placed vertically for the first photo, what point on the reverse is at the top? This would help in identifying the reverse type, which is usually a version of Britannia standing or sitting.
These tokens were struck in the 1820s and 1830s to look intentionally like worn out halfpennies of George III. This was a quick profit making scheme since they were introduced as halfpennies while there was barely a farthing’s worth of copper. They’re called “blacksmith” because the legend goes that a blacksmith struck them to pay for his liquor. If I’m not mistaken, their origin is most likely Montreal. Why would anyone accept such trash in payment? Because there was such a shortage of small change that even buttons were flattens to have them pass for a halfpenny.
In my opinion they are clearly blacksmiths. The ribbons are giveaways as they very different from genuine 1/2d coins. In fact I'd suggest your first coin is Charlton BL-2 based on the ribbon shape. On the second coin, the Britannia is facing right (as opposed to left on genuine 1/2d coins) which is also indicative of blacksmiths.
However I'd be curious why colonialjohn suggest they are not blacksmiths.
I am wrong. Taking a closer look they are Blacksmiths. Photos being so rough thru me off the attribution. Need better photos. Use high lighting/high sharpness when taking photos of these and British/Irish 18thC 1/2d & 1/4d's.
Ah, yes. Good to know. Knowing colonialjohn is a world specialist on the so-called blacksmith series, I was struggling to find out for myself how these would not be blacksmiths.
Colonialjohn is apparently specialist on these and I don't want to steal his thunder. I've been interested in these recently and just wanted to add that you can get a free copy of Howland Wood's “The Canadian Blacksmith Coppers” printed in the Numismatist, Vol XXII, No 4 in April 1910. I found a free .pdf of it recently with a simple Google search. The article identifies numerous types and makes an attempt to classify them. Highly recommend it.
