Moneta
Registered: August 2005
Location: Arizona USA
Posts: 2,365
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1795 Thomas Paine Pig Halfpenny 18th C. Political/Satirical Token issued by Thomas Spence.
The obverse shows a wild pig trampling upon a crown, mace & crosier (King, Parliament, Church) a large liberty cap is above with the legend, "PIGS MEAT PUBLISHED BY T SPENCE LONDON." as a banner in the pig's mouth The reverse is legend is " NOTED ADVOCATES FOR THE RIGHTS OF MAN"; "THOs SPENCE, SIR THOs MORE, THOs PAINE." This one is a halfpenny and measures 29mm. Several varieties can be found, some with the date of 1795; the basic design can also be found in the smaller farthing denomination.
This one is especially nice with with a nice even brown tone and plenty of pigs hair details.
We should all be familiar with a book written by Thomas Paine titled, "Rights of Man" published in 1791. This token reflects the political sentiment of the time. Because Thomas Paine is mentioned by name on this token, it is considered as American political collectible and listed as such in American coin catalogs. This is more true because Thomas Paine also wrote "Common Sense" which is THE book that inspired people to support the Independence movement which did lead to Independence for the United States of America. The "Rights of Man", in two parts, heavily influenced events in France and their Constitution, which lead to the French Revolution.
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