Liverpool Own Money?? 1793?

MissInformed · 11-26-2006

I have just read on here (and heard a rumour at work last week) that Liverpool once had it's own money...is this true?
Any pics, if yes?

Advertisements -------

**Kev** · 11-26-2006

Originally Posted by MissInformed

I have just read on here (and heard a rumour at work last week) that Liverpool once had it's own money...is this true?
Any pics, if yes?

I think this one is true

MissInformed · 11-26-2006

is it something to do with Martin's Bank?

**ChrisGeorge** · 11-26-2006

Hello MissInformed

Nothing to do with Martin's Bank. There was a currency shortage during the reign of George III (1760-1820) at the time of the Napoleonic Wars. A number of merchants throughout the land started putting out halfpenny pieces in the 1790's. One of these was the Liverpool Conder halfpenny with the Liver Bird on a shield on one side and the city motto Deus Nobis Haec Otia Fecit ("God has provided this leisure for us") and a sailing ship on the side with the words "Liverpool Halfpenny." (Conder was the name of the series of copper halfpennies). The tradesman's name was on the rim of the coin. It wasn't so much official Liverpool money as a coinage of necessity put out by merchants. Later in the nineteenth century there were Liverpool merchants who put out brass tokens as well. See below.

A rarer variety has George Washington on one side and the sailing ship on the other and is also known as a "Liverpool Halfpenny" though the more common variety is the one described above which can be purchased fairly cheaply on ebay.

Chris