Description
Nottingham Penny, J. M. Fellows, 1813
Date & Place:
-
1813, Nottingham (England).
Issuer:
-
J. M. Fellows, a local tradesman in Nottingham.
Metal / Size:
-
Copper, about 34–35 mm (penny size).
Design
Obverse:
-
Inscription: “PAYABLE BY J. M. FELLOWS NOTTINGHAM” around.
-
Centre often shows the town arms or crest (sometimes a castle or shield motif).
Reverse:
-
Large lettering: “ONE PENNY TOKEN 1813”.
-
Sometimes encircled with a wreath or simple border design.
Edge:
-
Varieties exist: some plain, some with incuse or raised lettering (e.g. PAYABLE AT J. M. FELLOWS or similar).
References:
-
Listed in Dalton & Hamer (Nottinghamshire section, 19th century copper tokens).
-
Also catalogued in Davis’ 19th Century Token Coinage of Great Britain.
Background
-
These were part of the 1811–1815 provincial token series, when local merchants issued tokens due to a shortage of official coinage.
-
J. M. Fellows was a Nottingham businessman — tokens like his were used in local trade and sometimes to pay workers.
-
By 1817 the government cracked down and banned private issues, making these short-lived but historically significant.
