Anyone else likes this HalfPenny?

TwoKopeiki · April 9, 2007 11:50PM

I know absolutely nothing about these, but the artistic detail on this piece is amazing. Plus 200+ years old! Wow...

Linky to the Bay

rwyarmch · April 10, 2007 12:29AM

There's a lot of history (some of it quite grisly) on that one token! For some reason this is a popular design among forum members and a nice unc example can be had for under $100.

TwoKopeiki · April 10, 2007 12:32AM

<< There's a lot of history (some of it quite grisly) on that one token! >>

I'm listening...

TwoKopeiki · April 10, 2007 1:01AM

Wow, you're right - quite a bloody history, indeed...

<< In 1190 the wooden tower was the last refuge of the 150 Jewish residents in York. Richard de Malbis of York was a debtor of Aaron of Lincoln, an influential Jewish banker of the late 12th century. When a fire broke out in the city of York, De Malbis used the opportunity to incite a mob to attack the home of a recently deceased agent of Aaron of Lincoln named Benedict of York, killing his widow and children and burning the house. Joce (Joseph) the leader of the Jewish community of York obtained the permission of the warden of York Castle to remove his wife and children and the rest of the Jews into the castle, where they were probably placed in Clifford's Tower. This was surrounded by the mob, and when the warden left the castle, the Jews would not readmit him for fear of the mob. He appealed to the sheriff, who called out the county militia, who surrounded Clifford's Tower for several days. On 16 March 1190 the Tower was set on fire, and many Jews either perished in the flames or took their own lives rather give themselves up to the mob; those who did surrender were killed. In all around 150 Jews died. A plaque on the hill on which the tower is placed reads:

"On the night of Friday 16 March 1190 some 150 Jews and Jewesses of York having sought protection in the Royal Castle on this site from a mob incited by Richard Malebisse and others chose to die at each other's hands rather than renounce their faith."

The walls of the stone tower still stand, but the roof and central pillar are gone.
York Castle (Cliffords Tower) South view.The king's Chancellor dismissed the sheriff and constable for failing to prevent the massacre and imposed a heavy fine on York's citizens. However, the ringleaders had fled and could not be brought to justice.

The tower was rebuilt in stone between 1245 and 1265. The castle's bailey walls, towers, gates, bridges, two halls, a chapel, a kitchen and a prison were all built at this time. The name Clifford’s Tower was first recorded in 1596 and derives its name from Roger de Clifford, who was hanged there in 1322. Before then it was called the Great Tower. Very few examples of this multilobed type of castle tower exist. One is the keep of Pontefract Castle (now badly damaged). An identical example to York can be found at Étampes, France. >>

rwyarmch · April 10, 2007 1:33AM

Apparently, things didn't improve much in the years that followed with Edward I issuing an edict expelling all Jews from England in 1290.

koincollect · April 10, 2007 7:32AM

The details on these pieces are amazing. Very nice token.

lordmarcovan · April 10, 2007 2:55PM

That particular example looks to have had an old cleaning and has some apparent damage/flaws at the dentils at the top of the reverse, but I don't find either of those issues particularly bothersome. Not sure if I agree with the seller that this is a true UNC or not, and I don't know enough about Conders to know if it is worth the eBay price, but it is a nice looking piece, for sure.

One thing I can warn you about, though- beware! Condermania is a very cointageous disease, and a slippery slope towards exonumia! There have been many victims here on the forum!

So far I have resisted, but one of these days I might get a Conder or two by accident, and then- poof! I'll be in trouble.

lordmarcovan · April 10, 2007 2:57PM

PS- I have purchased rather expensive Spanish Colonial coins from that seller twice recently.

Pricey on the BINs, but nice stuff, and nice to deal with- no worries there.

clarkbar04 · April 10, 2007 3:05PM

Wow that thing really got bid up!!

rwyarmch · April 10, 2007 11:28PM

For that kind of money, I'd prefer to have the beautiful Warwickshire token in theboz's thread!

TwoKopeiki · April 10, 2007 11:33PM

<< Wow that thing really got bid up!! >>

Wow, you're not kidding...

laurentyvan · April 11, 2007 1:03AM

Handsome piece- I found the style of the date interesting, given the different sizes of the numerals.

Daltonista · April 11, 2007 7:51AM

I prefer to think of it as Conderphilia, thank you...

lordmarcovan · April 11, 2007 8:04AM

<< I prefer to think of it as Conderphilia, thank you... >>

Okay, but that sounds too much like coprophilia!

I'd rather have Conderphilia (or better yet, Condermania) than the aforementioned ailment.

TwoKopeiki · April 11, 2007 9:13AM

<< PS- I have purchased rather expensive Spanish Colonial coins from that seller twice recently.

Pricey on the BINs, but nice stuff, and nice to deal with- no worries there. >>

I like dig_it, he's not the one for getting steals from, but his merchandise and service are good.

I picked-up my 1810 Lock-on-Head Peruvian from him:

Anyone else likes this HalfPenny?

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