Obv: Figure of deformed dwarf, SIR JEFFERY DUNSTAN 1795 around, JACOBS. F. (in exergue). Rev: DENTON ENGRAVER & PRINTER 7 . MEAD ROW NEAR THE ASYLUM LAMBETH in seven lines. Edge: Plain.
Uncirculated and Choice brown. Scarce. Farthing.
Jeffery Dunstan was a traveling dealer in wigs, whose comic and baudy appearance made him into a very popular figure. He would walk about with no hat and his shirt opened, knock-kneed, with wigs hanging about his person, shouting to the passersby trying to sell his wigs. The hamlet of Garrat in Surrey had established a local council that would have a Mayor presiding over it to last the lifetime of the Parliament, and to be re-elected when a new Parliament was assembled. The most bizarre candidates would be put up for election and it became quite the burlesque! Dunstan was by far the most popular of these Mayors, and served three terms. He died from overdrinking in 1797.