1791 Token 1/2P Liverpool - Pewter Half Penny

Coin Details

Description

Cataloged as Baker 11A, Musante GW-12, and Whitman 10515, this 1791 Washington Liverpool halfpenny token struck in pewter is a very rare compositional variant of a type most commonly encountered in copper. The Liverpool designation connects this piece to the manufacturing and distribution networks centered on Liverpool, England, one of the major British ports involved in transatlantic trade during the late 18th century, where token manufacturers including the Westwood firm produced Washington-themed pieces for export to the American market. Pewter — a tin-lead alloy — gives the token a distinctive silvery-gray appearance and softer feel compared to copper examples, and its relative fragility in circulation means fewer pewter specimens survived in collectible condition. The obverse features Washington's portrait, while the reverse design follows the Liverpool halfpenny format. Washington Liverpool tokens were part of a broader phenomenon of British-made Washington tokens produced during the late 1780s and 1790s, when commercial entrepreneurs recognized the marketability of Washington's image on the American colonial token market. Very rare in pewter, these pieces are considerably scarcer than their copper counterparts and are prized by colonial specialists who collect Washington tokens across multiple compositions to document the full range of metals used in production. The Baker, Musante, and Whitman cross-references place this piece within three independent catalog systems, providing comprehensive bibliographic documentation for researchers and auction catalogers.

Rarity Notes

Very rare. Pewter Liverpool halfpennies are much scarcer than copper.

Cross References

Baker 11A; Musante GW-12; Whitman 10515