Owner Comments:
Lothian Edinburgh DH #52
Obverse: The front view of a public building with a dome in the center and towers on each end EDINBURGH HALFPENNY 1796 above in two lines. Upon the ground is WRIGHT DES. in small letters. Ex: REGISTER OFFICE FOUNDED 1774 in two lines.
Reverse: The figure of Britannia seated on the right, holding a spear in her outstretched right hand, her left arm resting on her shield. The bow of a ship to the left BRITANNIA.
Edge: Plain
Diesinker: Thomas Wyon
Manufacturer: Peter Kempson
Rarity: Common
The Register Office, also known as the General Register House of Scotland, contained the national record and public archives as well as copies of all legal contracts and title deeds relating to the transfer or mortgage of property. Much of the business of civil and criminal courts were also transacted there. The foundations were laid in 1774 and the construction completed in 1822, the design of the token was done based on the building design.
The token was designed by James Wright Jr. (1768-98), the Dundee numismatist, who stated that 'the die cracked on the first essay, and was only able to strike about 300 pieces'. James designed a number of tokens for Dundee and Angusshire as well as the other Scottish counties.
Atkins: Lothian 43
Bt. Stacks Bowers Sale, 2 November 2023