Description
1851 ½ Penny “Taylor” token (sometimes called a Taylor restrike).
What it is
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In the mid-19th century, William Joseph Taylor (a London engraver and medallist) produced a number of unofficial restrikes of earlier British and colonial coin/token designs.
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He purchased old dies from the defunct Soho Mint (founded by Matthew Boulton) and used them to strike copper and bronze pieces, often in halfpenny and penny sizes.
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Many of these restrikes are dated 1851, though the designs themselves were originally from much earlier (late 1700s and early 1800s).
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Because they weren’t struck for circulation, they are considered tokens or restrikes rather than official coinage.
