1797 UK 1 Penny, KM# 618
Coins like this one formed part of the currency of each British colony, being part of the legal English tender.
This coin is notable for its size (36mm across, 3mm thick) and the fact that it marked the beginning of a new English copper coinage.
It comes from a time when warring amongst the European Powers over the preceding decades had resulted in a general scarcity of specie.
From the Australian perspective, not only do they rate a mention in Governor King’s Proclamation of November 19th, 1800, but they also were shipped to the colony in that year.
No doubt they were eagerly snapped up…
Happy Collecting!
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