Owner Comments:
Middlesex Political & Social Series DH #1037
Obverse: A chained slave kneeling in supplication, around the edge AM I NOT A MAN AND A BROTHER
Reverse: Two hands clasped MAY SLAVERY & OPRESSION CEASE THROUGHOUT THE WORLD
Edge: PAYABLE IN DUBLIN OR LONDON + . + .
Diesinker: Unknown
Manufacturer: William Lutwyche
Weight: 8.78g
Rarity: Common
In 1783 British Quakers created 'An Association for the Relief and Liberation of Negro Slaves in the West Indies'. The leading protagonist in Parliament was William Wilberforce, and as a member of parliament and a friend of William Pitt he pushed for the abolition of slavery in the British Empire.
In 1787 he joined in setting up in London a committee for the 'Abolition of the Slave Trade in the West Indies' which exposed to the House of Commons the horrors and evil of this activity. In 1807 a bill prohibiting British merchants from selling slaves to foreign colonies and prohibiting the importation of slaves into British possessions was passed - although it did not have much effect until 1811 when another bill was adopted - making slave trading a criminal offence. At this time the Royal Navy took action against slavers and eventually there was some progress, although not overnight.
In 1823 Wilberforce vice-chaired the Anti-Slavery Society - an organization formed to achieve the liberation of all slaves in British possessions. Progress was slow but eventually in August 1833 the Abolition Act was passed - freeing all slaves and compensating slave owners from the British Treasury.
This coin was made by Lutwyche for one of the early anti-slavery groups in the 1790s who, realizing the propaganda potential of the circulating coin, issued this copper halfpenny to spread far and wide their message of the equality of man.
Atkins: Not Local 144
St. James Sale #112, 17 November 2025
Ex: Baldwin’s Vault