1800 Woodcock’s Bank, Enniscorthy (Co Wexford) copper halfpenny token.

Date: 1800

1800 Woodcock’s Bank, Enniscorthy (Co Wexford) copper halfpenny token. Obv Castle by the sea

Description:

The short-lived bank in Enniscorthy owned by Robert Woodlock was opened in 1799 and closed in 1802 was unusual insofar as it produced both its own banknotes and coin tokens. There was a chronic shortage of coinage at this time and people needed smaller denominations for change. Private banks filled this void, although merchants, small traders and artisans more commonly issued tokens.

This is one of two halfpenny designs circulated by Woodcock’s Bank in Enniscorthy. These copper tokens were minted by Küchler at the Soho mint in Birmingham, England.

• Enniscorthy, Co Wexford, Halfpenny Token (1800)
• Diameter: 28.8mm
• About Very Fine (aVF) for issue
• Scarce

Obverse:

• View of a castle by the sea with a portcullis formed by six vertical and one horizontal bar in the gateway and legend: “PAYABLE AT THE BANK OF R. W. ENNISCORTHY”
• Portcullis bar going nearly across six perpendicular bars and “Ns” with full serifs

Reverse:

• Shield with monogram “RW” hanging from the bough of a tree with hills and a castle in the background: “A. D. 1800”
  • The reverse design depicting “Vinegar Hill” refers to a tragedy there two years before the issue of the coin when there was an uprising of the United Irishmen in Dublin. This was soon suppressed, however, the peasants in the south followed suite and also revolted. Armed with fowling pieces, French muskets and long pikes, they captured several towns including Enniscorthy and Wexford. The rebels then organised a training camp for their 6,000 strong force on Vinegar Hill.
  • In June, General Lake attacked the Vinegar Hill camp and routed the half-trained force and, with Major-General John Moore’s recapture of Wexford, the rebellion disintegrated. The bodies of around 500 men who were killed in the battle lie buried in a mass grave at the foot of the hill.

Edge:

• Plain

References:

• DH (Wexford 4)
• Withers (Enniscorthy 1-4), p.387

Category:

• Irish Token Coinage
  • Late 18th Century
    • Wexford
      • Enniscorthy
        • Robert Woodcock’s Bank

Further Reading

• Dalton, R. & Hamer, S.H., The Provincial Token Coinage of the 18th Century (1915)
• Withers, P. & B.R., The Token Book: 17th, 18th & 19th Century Tokens and their Values (2010)
• Saunder’s Newsletter, Monday 15th March, 1802 (Robert Woodcock, Bankrupt)