1792 SHROPSHIRE JOHN WILKINSON IRONWORKS HALFPENNY TOKEN

A heavily worn 1792 copper halfpenny token from Shropshire, issued by the prominent industrialist John Wilkinson for use at his ironworks. These provincial issues, widely known as Conder tokens, were essential for daily commerce during a severe shortage of regal copper coinage.

The obverse displays a bust of John Wilkinson, with faint traces of the legend indicating his title as Iron Master. On the reverse, the outline of a blacksmith operating an anvil is visible, alongside the clear 1792 date in the exergue.

This specific example exhibits extensive circulation wear, meriting a Poor (P-1) grade, with mostly flat surfaces and only the boldest design elements remaining discernible. Despite its condition, it survives as a tangible artifact of the British Industrial Revolution.