Q.David Bowers
The products of the Soho Mint of the late 18th century stand today as magnificent examples of die workmanship and coinage production. Particularly outstanding in this regard is the Myddelton token, dated 1796, struck in Proof in copper and in silver, and intended for distribution by Philip Parry Price Myddelton, an entrepreneur who owned a large amount of land in Kentucky and who advertised extensively in England for settlers to emigrate to that location. Problems arose with the authorities, and the venture was never completed. The tokens depict on the obverse a family being welcomed by the goddess Liberty, with the legend BRITISH SETTLEMENT KENTUCKY around. The reverse shows the seated figure of Britannia, head downcast in sorrow from having lost some of her citizens to Kentucky, surrounded by the inscription PAYABLE BY P. P. P. MYDDELTON. In his work The Early Coins of America Sylvester S. Crosby paid this piece the ultimate compliment: "In beauty of design and execution, the tokens are unsurpassed by any piece issued for American circulation."
The so-called Kentucky token, produced in England, was made in large quantities. The obverse illustrates a hand holding a scroll on which is imprinted the inscription OUR CAUSE IS JUST. Surrounding is the legend UNANIMITY IS THE STRENGTH OF SOCIETY. The reverse depicts a pyramid of 15 circles, surrounded by rays. On each circle is the abbreviation of a state with K, representing Kentucky, at the top, hence the token's name. E PLURIBUS UNUM surrounds. These were struck in a number of different varieties distinguished by their thickness and variations in edge lettering inscriptions.
The Franklin Press token, also struck in England, pictures on the obverse a hand press. The reverse has the notation PAYABLE AT THE FRANKLIN PRESS LONDON. Its association with Benjamin Franklin has made this 1794 Issue popular with American numismatists.
The 1787 Auctori Plebis token, likewise struck in England, has on the obverse a draped bust facing left, very similar to the design found on Connecticut copper cents of the same year. The legend AUCTORI:
PLEBIS: ("by the authority of the people") is around the border. The reverse depicts a goddess seated with a lion, anchor, and globe, with the legend INDEP ET LIBER.
Talbot, Allum & Lee, New York commission merchants who conducted an importing trade at 241 Pearl Street, had struck to their order large quantities of copper tokens bearing the stated denomination of one cent. The obverse features the standing figure of Liberty holding a cap with bales of merchandise nearby. The reverse shows a full-rigged sailing ship.
The firm was founded in 1794 by William Talbot, William Allum, and James Lee. Business continued until 1796, when Mr. Lee retired from the young company. The two remaining partners continued under the name of Talbot & Allum until the enterprise dissolved in 1798. Immense quantities of the tokens were imported into the United States from England and circulated primarily in New York and surrounding states. At one time in 1795 the United States Mint redeemed these tokens during a copper shortage and cut planchets for half cents from them. In addition to specimens made with designs pertaining to the New York firm, some irrelevant die combinations were made with other English tokens, as noted earlier.
The so-called "Bar Cent" first appeared in New York City in November 1785. It is believed that this piece, possessing the simplest design of any token associated with early America, was produced in Birmingham by Thomas Wyon. The obverse is a simple monogram formed by the intertwined letters USA. The reverse consists of a series of 13 parallel bars. It is said that the design was copied from a Revolutionary War uniform button.
William and John Mott, importers and manufacturers of and dealers in gold and silver wares, cloth, watches, and other art goods, issued a 1789 dated token which today is considered to be one of the earliest advertising pieces to have circulated in America. This copper issue was possibly struck in England, although the precise origin is not known. The obverse depicts a shelf clock, and the reverse shows an American eagle.
A large penny-size copper token was struck from dies engraved by Jacobs and was made by Skidmore in England, during the early 1790s. Depicted on the obverse is the Park Theatre of New York City, which was destroyed in a conflagration in 1797. Extant specimens are all in Proof condition, indicating that the piece may have been struck as a souvenir for collectors. Another possibility is that it may have been a pattern for an admission token or check.
Often collected by American numismatists are two later issues, the 1781-dated North America token, believed to have been struck in Dublin, Ireland, circa 1810-1820; and the North West Company token, dated 1820_and depicting George IV on the obverse andbeaver on the reverse, believed struck in Birmingham by John Walker & Company. These latter pieces were used in the Indian trade in the Pacific Northwest, particularly along the Columbia River and Umpqua River valleys.