Obv: Bust of Spence, JAMES below, A . STATE . PRISONER . IN . 1794 around, T. SPENCE below. Rev: A padlock, MUM above, 1796 below. Edge: Plain.
Uncirculated. Red & brown. Some light staining on obverse. Dramatic die crack on reverse. Scarce. Farthing.
An evocative token by Thomas Spence, this farthing with the padlock was directed against the ‘gagging act’ of 1795, also known as the Seditious Meeting Act. ‘Mum’ is probably in reference to Shakespeare’s verse in Henry VI, “Seal up your lips, and give no words, but – Mum!”.