Halfpenny Trade Token (Perth)
DesignerDesigned by
James Wright Jr.
IssuerIssued by
John Ferrier
Date1775-1800
Object NameToken
Mediumcopper alloy
ClassificationsTokens
DimensionsApproximately (Diameter x Thickness): 27 × 2mm
Weight: 10.3gm
Weight: 10.3gm
LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub
Object numberABDMS013584
Keywords
Although James Wright, Junior mostly designed tokens for his home town of Dundee he also did so for Forfar, Edinburgh and, as in this case, Perth.
The reverse of the Perth token was designed for local hosier John Ferrier, the obverse of which show the bridge over the Tay completed in 1770. On this side we see a fisherman hauling in his net; the accompanying Latin inscription refers to the success of his catch.
Ferries had been in use at Perth for 150 years since the collapse of an earlier bridge. Perhaps if Wright had had more imagination he would have portrayed the ferryman rather than a fisherman - which would have been a good pun on the token-issuer's name.
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