Sierra Leone: Coin, token or medal?

Started by Figleaf, September 12, 2008, 12:39:18 AM

Previous topic - Next topic

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Figleaf

Here is the last of my African tokens. I looks like a medal, is listed by KM as Sierra Leone KM Tn 2.1 and it's said to have been accepted as a coin. What do you think it is? I'd also be very interested in a translation of the Arabic text.

Peter
An unidentified coin is a piece of metal. An identified coin is a piece of history.

tonyclayton

I would definitely classify that as a medal, although I can appreciate that it might possibly be used for trade.

translateltd

Quote from: Figleaf on September 12, 2008, 12:39:18 AM
Here is the last of my African tokens. I looks like a medal, is listed by KM as Sierra Leone KM Tn 2.1 and it's said to have been accepted as a coin. What do you think it is? I'd also be very interested in a translation of the Arabic text.

Peter

I can see the words "In England in 1807" in the Arabic, so it would appear to be a translation of the English text on the other side.  The text at the bottom looks like "We are all brothers", so that also matches the English.


muenz-goofy

Quote from: Figleaf on September 12, 2008, 12:39:18 AMHere is the last of my African tokens.

Peter,

Unfortunately, this is the last of your African coins. Perhaps you will find some more.

Refering to your piece...

David Vice says in his book "The coinage of British West Africa and St. Helena 1684 - 1958" (Birmingham 1983): "Struck at September 1814 at Soho Mint, Birmingham. Cost of the dies £63. The obverse engraved by G.F. Pidgeon, the reverse by John Philip. The coins were indoubtedly indended to circulate at the Macaulay and Babington trading establishments in Sierra Leone. Mintage 50.000..."

About the arabic text on the reverse he tells us: "The sale of slaves prohibited in England in 1807 of the Christian era in the reign of Sultan George the Third - Verily we are all brothers. J.P. FECIT (at the bottom of the coin)".

There are different restrikes, Mr. Vice lists. The weight of the normal type should be 16,84 grams. But there is an open window for weights of old coins, as usual. My specimen goes to scale at 17,08 grams.

That's all what I can tell you about this coin in the moment.

Regards
Dietmar

God created the ocean, we the boat. God created the wind, we the sail. He created the lull, we the paddle (African proverb)

Figleaf

#4
All contributors thanks for answering my questions. I heard the McCaulay & Babington attribution before, but, like Tony, I found it hard to imagine that this piece with such high relief and detailed design would be meant as a coin. Your quote is convincing, though. Since sterling coins were introduced in 1807, the local authorities may have objected against a penny token, since they tend to be in excellent quality, while sweaty palms and copper don't go well together.

I my notes, I found hat there is another Sierra Leone token: 1/8 penny (1/400 dollar) 1858 issued by MacGregor Laird. Does anyone have a picture?

Peter
An unidentified coin is a piece of metal. An identified coin is a piece of history.

muenz-goofy

Quote from: Figleaf on September 12, 2008, 06:42:52 PMI my notes, I found hat there is another Sierra Leone token: 1/8 penny (1/400 dollar) 1858 issued by MacGregor Laird. Does anyone have a picture?

Peter,

Unfortunately I do not have a coin like that in my collection. David Vice counts this McGregor Laird piece to Nigeria, not to Sierra Leone. He reports about 3 different dies. All are made from Copper. On the obverse we see a three-masted, schooner-rigged screw steamer and the date 1274 in arabic, on the reverse two bisymmetrical scrolls or ribbons bearing the motto SPERO MELORIA ('I hope for better things') and the words LAIRD 1/8 Penny 1/400 Dollar and the year 1858. The diameter should be 21.0 mm. The differences between the 3 dies are little as I can see on the pictures of the book.

A picture is shown at:

http://www.coinarchives.com/w/lotviewer.php?LotID=235887&AucID=182&Lot=1146

Regards
Dietmar


God created the ocean, we the boat. God created the wind, we the sail. He created the lull, we the paddle (African proverb)

Figleaf

Laird was an anti-slavery preacher who worked in Nigeria and in Sierra Leone, but frankly, I think it is not important which of the two countries you attribute the token to. This is a super piece.

Peter

An unidentified coin is a piece of metal. An identified coin is a piece of history.

muenz-goofy

Quote from: Figleaf on September 12, 2008, 08:10:04 PMI think it is not important which of the two countries you attribute the token to. This is a super piece.

You are absolutely right. In case you own this token, congratulations.
Dietmar
God created the ocean, we the boat. God created the wind, we the sail. He created the lull, we the paddle (African proverb)

BC Numismatics

Peter,
  I have got one of those Sierra Leonean 1d. trader's currency tokens.

As for the Nigerian 1/8d. token,there are 2 types,which can almost class them as being 2 different coins.I haven't got any of those ones.They can be regarded,in a sense,as the first Nigerian coins.

Aidan.

Marcisharki

#9
Hello Peter,
here is a picture of the mentioned LairdToken :)




best wishes

Marc
A token a day keeps the Doctor away !