Name/TitleLate 18th century trade token, Inverness halfpenny (1793-96?)
About this objectDuring the late 17th century, there became a great shortage of small denomination (typically copper coins) and with the rise of the industrial revolution, it meant that there were now workers working in factories that were not being paid fully. As such, private mantifaction companies, such as this Invernesss one (created by Mackintosh Inglis and Wilson's), started creating trade tokens as a substatute for the real article. This proved popular until the early 18th century when the London mint started to print more coins. On the observe (heads), it depicts a mix of roses and nettles with the Textaround it stating "INVERNESS HALFPENNY". On the reverse (tails), it has flowers coming out a stone and with the Textaround it in Latin stating "CONCORDIA ET FIDELITAS" which translates to "Harmony and faithfulness".
