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

Date: 1800

1800 Woodcock’s Bank, Enniscorthy (Co Wexford) copper halfpenny token dated 1800. Obv Monogram of RW beneath a peacock crest with legend above

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 the rarer of the 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: 27.8mm
• About Very Fine (aVF) for issue
• Rare

Obverse:

• Monogram of “RW” beneath a peacock crest with legend above: “FOR CHANGE” and date “1800” below.

Reverse:

• Legend on five lines, the top and bottom curved: “PAYABLE AT WOODCOCK’S BANK ENNISCORTHY”.

Edge:

• Plain

References:

• DH (Wexford 11)
• Withers (Enniscorthy 5-16), 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)