Owner Comments:
Lancashire Lancaster DH #58
Obverse: Bust of Daniel Eccleston, incuse legend on a raised rim DANIEL ECCLESTON . LANCASTER .
Reverse: Plow and shuttle in the foreground, ship masts and rigging behind, AGRICULT . MANUFACT . & COMMERCE in three lines beneath, incuse legend on a raised rim, THE LANCASHIRE HALFPENNY 1794
Edge: PAYABLE . IN . LANCASTER . LIVERPOOL . & . MANCHESTER
Diesinker: Noel-Alexandre Ponthon
Manufacturer: Matthew Boulton
Issuer: Daniel Eccleston
Rarity: Common
Daniel Eccleston was a Quaker radical and friend to Thomas Jefferson. Daniel Eccleston lived in Queen Street in Lancaster and was a liquor merchant, insurance broker and entrepreneur. Originally he had interests in Barbados and Antigua, where he made his fortune and lived for several years, eventually to return to Britain and settle in Lancaster.
At this point he became a collector of provincial coins which is probably why he had this token made by Matthew Boulton. The token is struck in the style of Boulton's official regal 'Soho' issues - with the raised edge and sunken field which gives the portrait greater perspective.
He was also very pro the Independence of the fledgling American Colonies and at this time and had a very large medal struck to honour George Washington. He squandered a lot of his wealth in these numismatic pursuits, so much so that by the end of his life he was in need of financial support. He eventually died in relative poverty at the age of 71 at Kidside near Milthorp.
Matthew Boulton struck the Lancashire #58 tokens for sale to collectors due to Daniel Eccleston failure to pay the £57.2s.6d he owed for the dies, striking, and delivery of the Lancashire #57 tokens. The Lancashire #57 tokens are all bronzed and are heavier then the #58 tokens.
Bt. Colin Cooke