2017-06-26 Mon

They say that love is eternal and priceless. Spink’s upcoming offering in a way, reinstates this fact! It would be auctioning a unique 1797 2-ounce Cartwheel twopence love token from Britain on 5th July with an estimate of £2,000 to £3,000. The love token was made by a convict named Thomas Hammond who was exiled for life from England to Australia in 1841 for stealing £1.10, coal, spoons and bacon. Love tokens were popular in the last quarter of the 19th century, but they were prevalent earlier as well. Love tokens are generally found on larger coins.

Born in Worcestershire in 1814, Hammond was a carpet weaver at Kidderminster. 27-year-old Hammond was convicted and deported on 30th August 1841. He was leaving a loved one behind, who is referred to as “M.C.” on the token. He spent some time in Tasmania; then went twice across Australia. He got a ticket of leave on 28th May 1850. The leave was revoked on 1st October 1850 and restored on 23rd Sept 1851. He got a conditional pardon on 14th June 1853, using which he could travel anywhere in the colonies except England. The token is in Extremely Fine condition. It is offered with copies of court documents and another Cartwheel twopence coin of 1797. The reverse features the common depiction of Britannia.

The 14 lines inscription reads “M.C. / IF ON THY / FACE FOR MY NA / ME SHAME AND R / EPROACHES BE I’LL / HAIL REPROACH AN / D WELCOME SHAME / IF THOU REMEMBER / ME. A KEEPSAKE / FROM THOMAS / HAMMOND/ TRANSPORTED / FOR LIFE APIL [sic]/ 8 1841.