Jennings the ironmonger in Spalding issued the coins to his customers. We believe this was because there was a lack of small denomination coins and therefore these coins were given as change and could be redeemed with the next purchase.
The description of the coin is as follows: Obverse: within a shield edged with sprays, the initials ‘T.J.’ (Thomas Jennings) in old English characters, a couped lion rampant as a crest above; below: ‘1794’. Legend: ‘SPALDING HALFPENNY.’ Reverse: Britannia standing on the shore, a shield and spear in her left, a spray in her right hand, outstretched; a merchantman (left) and three other vessels in distance (left and right); two men and a horse ploughing (right). Legend: ‘SUCCESS TO THE COMMERCE OF BRITAIN’. Inscription on edge: ‘PAYABLE AT T. JENNINGS SPALDING & HOLBEACH’. MEC2033: Halfpenny token struck in British North America. Obverse: Starboard broadside view of a full-rigged ship under sail. Reverse: Inscription, ‘SHIPS, COLONIES & COMMERCE’.
