| Description |
English cartwheel penny, 1797. Daniel O Connell (1775-1847) was a politician who worked tirelessly to improve the life of Catholics in Ireland in the first half of the 19th century. He became known as the Liberator or Emancipator for his efforts. This piece is a rare and important example of an early political expression stamped on a coin. Apparently, his name was stamped first from a prepared punch...unheard of on these early Irish conflict issues. The crown and traitor comments were likely added shortly afterwards by someone with a Loyalist bent. I opine that the slogans were struck in the 1820's or 1830's due to the wear characteristics. Please note the spelling of the word traitor as ?traiter.? While not used today, it was often spelled that way in those times. The seller who has an antiques and collectibles shop on Chandler Rd. in Worthing found the coin among a group of old English and Irish coppers he bought from an old couple who came into his shop. Purchased from Neil Puttick / Worthing, West Sussex, UK. (Fb. 5, 2020) ($162). |
