Description
BB Copper Co., Virtute et Industria, 1811
Date & Origin:
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1811, England, issued by BB Copper Company.
Metal / Size:
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Copper, ~32 mm diameter (standard penny token size).
Legend / Motto:
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“VIRTUTE ET INDUSTRIA” — Latin for “By virtue and industry,” emphasizing commerce and hard work.
Design
Obverse:
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Central motif: often furnace, smelting tools, or industrial emblem, representing the copper company.
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Legend around rim: “BB COPPER CO” or similar.
Reverse:
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Denomination: “ONE PENNY TOKEN”, sometimes surrounded by a beaded border or wreath.
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Date: 1811
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Occasionally includes “PAYABLE AT …”, specifying redemption locations.
Edge:
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Varieties: plain, engraved, or reeded; check for any maker’s marks or incuse lettering.
References:
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Catalogued in Dalton & Hamer (Staffordshire / Industrial tokens) and Davis’ 19th Century Token Coinage.
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Considered part of the provincial industrial token series (1797–1817), issued to facilitate trade and pay workers during copper shortages.
Historical Context
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BB Copper Co. was a local industrial copper works; tokens were used both as a substitute currency and as advertising for the company.
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Many tokens from 1811 were issued during the Napoleonic War era, when copper coinage was scarce.
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Tokens like this circulated mainly locally and often had industrial motifs to signify the issuer’s business.
