Obv: PAYABLE BY WM: BOOTH, PERRY BARR , around inner double linear circles, vertical sheaf of wheat on ground line within.
Rev: (ornament) STAFFORDSHIRE (ornnament) 1811 , around inner double linear circles, PENNY TOKEN in two lines.
Extremely fine, a later copy of this very rare token circa 1900.
Davis 90. W 956

The original tokens were produced by William Booth, not really intended for circulation but as a cover for his forging activities. Booth's execution on 12 August 1812 was bungled, and he fell through the scaffold's trap door to the floor. Within two hours, he was hanged again and died. He was one of the last people (if not the last) to be sentenced to death in England for forgery.

Sold Nov 2016