Doesn't get much better than this one...

When I started my horses collection 2 years ago, one of the first resources I browsed was the Dalton & Hamer (D&H) reference for Conder Tokens. There are many designs featuring horses, and I have a list that I regularly look for. Well, about 10 days ago, one on that list came up for sale on eBay, and I was determined to get her home to my collection!

The token in my sights was a Lancashire (Rochdale) 1792 issued piece. The obverse features the Arms of the Clothworkers' Company with a lovely detailed ram crest. The legend reads "ROCHDALE HALFPENNY 1792". The reverse shows a mounted dragoon (infantryman) with sabre galloping to the left -- the legend reads "PRO REGE ET PATRIA" (translated as "for King and County"), and the text "QUEENS BAYS" is in exergue. The edge is inscribed with "PAYABLE IN LONDON" with the reminder engrailed.

This token is listed in D&H as "scarce", with an estimated mintage of between 75 and 150 tokens. The real wow factor for this piece is its level of preservation. It survives in almost original state, and is graded by NGC at an almost unbelievable MS66RB. It exhibits surfaces of lovely browns interspersed with lustrous red areas.

Of interest is that the dragoon (horse) design is used on pieces from several counties, not just this Lancashire token. Among them being:

Norfolk DH-7, 46, and 47

Somersetshire DH-87

Warwickshire DH-60 and 61

Yorkshire DH-64

This token will take a spot among the herd as my 177th certified numismatic item featuring a horse. She will be one of my most treasured items for many years to come. As always I will post larger images on the Chat Boards.

Happy collecting!!

-Brandon

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