New Conder Token - Jackass by Spence - D&H 716

Aethelred

I received this token in the mail this week, it was purchased from a well known and well regarded Forum member.

This token was issued by Thomas Spence a London coin dealer and political activist. Spence was arrested in May 1794 for selling copies of "The Rights of Man" by Thomas Paine, but was acquitted after seven months in prison. With this token, Spence is commenting on the burden of the common Englishmen of his day. On the obverse an ass is shown bearing a double load of taxes and rents. The obverse inscription reads "I WAS AN ASS TO BEAR THE FIRST PAIR" banners reading "TAXS" and "RENTS" hang from the burden that the ass bears. On the reverse Spence seeks to link his cause with that of Paine. The inscription on the reverse reads "NOTED ADVOCATES FOR THE RIGHTS OF MAN - THOs SPENCE - SIR THOs MORE - THOs PAINE"

CoinAddict

Very nice but are you sure that isn't Wile E. Coyote?

boz

Great looking token!

cosmicdebris

I like it! Great story to go with it too.

Askari

<< <i>I received this token in the mail this week, it was purchased from a well known and well regarded Forum member. >>

You mean it wasn't a wry personal comment?

A very nice historical piece! Are you going for the complete Spence series?

Aethelred

<< <i>

A very nice historical piece! Are you going for the complete Spence series? >>



That would be a tall order, but I do like the Spence tokens very much and would expect to see more in my collection.

AuldFartte

That's a beauty, Aethelred

BowTieCoins

Very cool!!

Katrina

wybrit

I love that jackass token.

Aethelred

One question: Didn't Sir Thomas More die in the 1500s?

wybrit

Y'know, that jackass would make a great icon for someone.

wybrit

I just had a scary thought. What would you call this token if a hole were drilled in it??

Aethelred

"Jackass hole at 12:00"

MacCrimmon

<< <i> "Jackass hole at 12:00" >>



That should really be described numismatically as, "Jackass holed at K12".