Half Penny . .
Obverse. .
Allegorical figure of Hope seated to left with anchor, date below. Hern 662a.
Lettering: CAPE OF GOOD HOPE Minted by W.J. Taylor, London 1861
Reverse
Issuer's name central with legend around
Lettering: TEA MERCHANTS & GROCERS WHYTE & Co. CAPE TOWN
Finding a Token in good condition is rare , Tokens in general live a hard life , they get used and later disregarded ... finding one in above condition is VERY RARE ... and oh , how I wish it was mine , unfortunately ..NOT.
Most likely they will look like mine ...which by and by is still even in VF to Fine condition something to get , with a decent monetary value still attached to these due to it's rarity.
Not much history available on the Whyte and Co unfortunately. Contact me please if you know more and can maybe share .
Note the token makers name is given in small letters on either side of the figure. "W.J.Taylor" left and on the right "London" This is familiar manufacturer with a recognisable design style.
William Joseph Taylor was born in Birmingham in 1802. By the 1840s Taylor was established as a medallist and dealer. During his career he produced a considerable number of coins and tokens, mainly for export.
In 1848 Taylor acquired many of the original dies from the Soho mint, from which he restruck many of the earlier Soho coins, including patterns. He usually re-polished and re-engraved some elements of the original die before reusing them.
Born 1802 Died March 1885
Country of birth and death: Great Britain
Medallist, die-sinker, engraver
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