Obv: THOS. SPENCE SIR THOS. MORE THOS. PAINE 1795 in the center in four lines, ADVOCATES FOR THE RIGHTS OF MAN around. Rev: A padlock, MUM above, 17-96 separated by lock. Edge: Plain.
Uncirculated. Red & Brown. Small flan crack due to pressure when struck. Reverse shows advanced progression in die, including small cud along left rim and large die crack on the 96 of date. Rare. Farthing. Comes with round Spink & Son ticket.
Known as the first socialist, Thomas Spence was a thorn in the side of the crown during his time. His shop, ‘The Hive of Liberty’, was the source of his publication, ‘Pig’s Meat, or Lessons for the Swinish Multitude, Collected by the Poor Man’s Advocate’. After he declared bankruptcy, he sold his dies to Peter Skidmore, who would proceed to mule his dies with others, creating a whole different take on Spence’s dies.