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1 Quarto James Spittle
| Issuer | James Spittle |
|---|---|
| Year | 1820 |
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| Value | Log in to see details |
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| Composition | Log in to see details |
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| Diameter | Log in to see details |
| Thickness | 2 mm |
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| Obverse description | Central device depicts the Arms of Gibraltar: a lion passant guardant to the right, rendered in high relief, with a large castle key erect before it, both elements standing upon a ground line. The legend PAYABLE AT JAMES SPITTLE'S curves around the upper periphery in raised Latin letters, while the word GIBRALTAR appears in a straight legend along the lower field below the ground line. The design is contained within a beaded border running along the full circumference of the coin. |
|---|---|
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| Reverse description | Central device depicts a detailed view of the Rock of Gibraltar with its fortifications, rendered as a crenellated castle and defensive walls rising above the sea, shown in three-quarter perspective with fine architectural detail. The curved legend VALE UN QUARTO arcs around the upper periphery in raised Latin letters. The date 1820 appears in large numerals in the lower field below the fortification, with a beaded border encircling the entire design. |
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| Additional information |
James Spittle operated as a tradesman in Birmingham during the early 19th century, issuing copper tokens at a moment when the Royal Mint's output of small-denomination coinage remained chronically inadequate for retail trade. The 1820 date places this piece in the twilight of the provincial token era — Parliament had moved to suppress private token issues, and the Mint Reform Act of 1817 had already begun consolidating coinage authority. Tokens like this one were increasingly illegal to issue, which likely kept production runs short.