Conder Tokens of Great Britain
Entry posted by MIKE BYRNE · - 190 views
Hi everyone. Mike here just starting out on the Registry Site after twenty five years of collecting. Now I will write about myself later. This journal is about Conder tokens. Many have never heard of them. I didn't for years. I was searching one day and came across a token two big for a civil war token and bigger. It caught my eye. In the ANA we say collect what you like. Some collect to flip. Some collect to compete I'm just a regular collector with a very diverse set. This token the workmanship is what caught my eye and the wonderful detail. I mean I could count the bricks and windows. The date was in 1797! I said no not with this much detail but It was class all the way. It was telling me to buy me.. So I collected some many had all sorts of designs. A seller sent me a book they were expensive. I went through it ever town in England had tokens. Many great die sinkers manufacturers and designers. Then I saw it P.Kempson Coventry Tokens. I was sold.
Now I looked there were nineteen tokens to the set. He had famous buildings spires , gates to protect the town, famous church's. Some built in the thirteen hundreds and some still standing today. I had to put this set together. Now I'm disabled how was I going to use this? No shows, no dealers. Couldn't travel. I found a seller of these Conder tokens on a site and contacted him. Sure i will give you a hand. I didn't know what to think but his record was perfect and had an auction every week. Now these tokens were made to help Britain avoid bankruptcy. They had the war for independence, a war with France ,a civil war, and the war of 1812.
People had these made to pay employees to feed them and there children buy clothes. They were made from a half penny to a penny. Many had edge writing telling you were you could redeem these for goods. Now depending on the edge writing and mintage, these were broken down two three category three R's were the rarest two still rare and one also rare. Then you had scarce and common. But I wanted this set. I contacted Merfyn Williams the gentleman who would help me. I said a have about seven. I'm into about my second yeat. He told.me Mike this will be hard and take time. I don't know if anyone who completed one.
These tokens made by P.Kempson were made for other collectors people knew of his reputation for detail and work ethic. Now more on the tokens. Some will dispute the date when these were first made. Was It the 1760's or later!? I found Some in the 1750's. Very few. Some of the experts said some before that. These were private tokens. The bulk came from the 1760's on . Some simple some very intense in there design. I know I'm all over but there is just so much. Back to the set. I found one of the set here in the states. I searched hundreds of sites and auctions ,nothing. If Merfyn found one he would let me know how all of these if they were to be found were auctions. It took five years and two years looking for one. I was waving the huge flag but friends from the ANA like John Cava And World Coin Nut who also looked for me would pick me up. Finally after two years Merfyn sent an email. I found it. Now Conder collectors don't believe in grades or slabs I don't either but the previously eighteen were all MS red brown and even a proof like. So I sent it in MS 64. It was over. I still can't find a complete set but mine is up. I dedicated it to all the young kids and regular collectors like myself . Never give up. If you like a set go for it. If you have been blessed no set is impossible. If your middle class it's easier. Young well wait till you have a good job stay in school and collect on a budget. I donated it to the hobby. Remember i was told many times no way it's impossible. It's 222 years old and the mintage was low. It didn't stop me. I wanted to leave something special to my kids and thanks to many people who kept me going and Merfyn who else could find them he lived were they made them but wouldn't dare try it. So take a peek at the impossible set. To old some missing not enough made. The odds were not in my favor by famous long shot me but I'm a coin collector we don't give up. It's a great hobby with good people. So there you have a taste of Conder tokens yes I was all over but so.we're they. The fun is in the hunt. Enjoy and never give up you may regret it someday. Take care more To follow Mike
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