Token

½ Penny CITY OF LIMERICK. CASTLE. R. CHANGE & CHARITY (1658) — Ireland

Ireland • 1658 • Dickinson (MD) 563/564; Williamson 573

½ Penny CITY OF LIMERICK. CASTLE. R. CHANGE & CHARITY (1658) — Ireland

Overview

A copper ½ Penny business token issued by the Limerick City Corporation in 1658 during the Commonwealth period. Known as a 'Corporate Issue', it was created to address the desperate lack of small change. The obverse features a castle representing King John's Castle, while the reverse prominent displays the year 1658 and the slogan 'CHANGE & CHARITY'.

Specifications

Country
Ireland
Year
1658
Composition
Copper
Weight
0.8 g
Diameter
15 mm
Shape
Round
References
Dickinson (MD) 563/564; Williamson 573
Issuer
Limerick City Corporation

Design details

Obverse

Central Device: A single Castle (representing King John's Castle or the city gates). 17th-century versions often show a twin-towered structure. Inscription: CITY . OF . LIMERICK (usually encircling the castle within a beaded border).

Reverse

Central Device: The year 1658 in the center. Inscription: CHANGE . & . CHARITY The Meaning: the phrase "Change & Charity" is unique to this series. It signifies the dual purpose of the token: providing "change" for commercial trade and facilitating "charity" (alms) for the poor, as the official mint was failing to provide either.

Collector insights

  • Series context: Part of the Trade tokens › Business tokens series — collectors typically assemble full-year date runs, so single years within an established series carry demand beyond raw mintage.
  • Catalogue reference: Listed as Dickinson (MD) 563/564; Williamson 573. Use this reference code when cross-checking auction archives, dealer inventories, and standard printed catalogues.

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