OBVERSE: Two barristers standing, holding a label, inscribed "BILL OF RIGHTS." Another label has "MAGNA CHARTA" INSCRIBED. Erskine and gibbs and trial by jury. REVERSE: T. HARDY I. H. TOOKE T. HOLCRAFT. I. A. BONNEY. J. JOYCE. S. KID. J. THELWALL (The Honourable Henry Erskine: lord advocate for Scotland with notices of ... By Alexander Fergusson. Blackwood and Son, Edinburgh and London, 1882. page 402 via Google Books)Two men (in advocates' gowns, the figure to the right probably Erskine)..." for the enterprising and socially-minded lawyer there was a name (and a living) to be made in conducting the defence of such radicals. For two such counsels, Thomas Erskine and Vicary Gibbs, the possibility of spreading this reputation (and availability) through tokens also appealed. The below piece is for the most part a celebration of their skill at the bar and the rights of the free man at English law (the banners that the two lawyers hold read 'MAGNA CHARTA' and 'BILL OF RIGHTS'), listing those successfully defended, but it definitely served as advertising too. ("Tokens of Revolution: The Propaganda Coins of Thomas Spence and his Contemporaries," The Fitzwilliam Museum, http://www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/dept/coins/exhibitions/spence/index.html)John Horne-TookeThe government had been alarmed by the rapid growth of the ‘corresponding societies’ founded by Thomas Hardy (1752-1832). These societies had circulated Paine's writings, had been in communication with the French revolutionary leaders, and had organised the ‘convention’ which met in Edinburgh in 1793. Horne Tooke's ‘Society for Constitutional Information’ had co-operated to some extent with them; while the whig society called the ‘Friends of the People’ endeavoured to keep the agitation within safe limits. Joseph Gerrald and others had been most severely punished for their proceedings in Scotland, and Horne Tooke was likely to find that his playing at treason would turn out awkwardly. Other arrests were made, and the proceedings began by the trial of Hardy. Hardy's trial, however, resulted in an acquittal (5 November 1794). The government foolishly persisted, and Horne Tooke was placed at the bar on 17 November charged with high treason. He was defended by Erskine and Vicary Gibbs, but took an active part himself in examining witnesses and arguing various points of law. The letter from Joyce was explained, and the only ground for suspicion was the prisoner's relations with the corresponding societies. Chief-justice Eyre tried the case with conspicuous fairness, and the jury almost instantly returned a verdict of ‘not guilty’ on 22 November. http://www.historyhome.co.uk/people/horne-t.htm
Hi Aidan,Its really difficult to judge by scans Do you ever use a camera for your coin images?If you do I bet they would look really great and everyone would be able to see them clearer
Awesome tokens here, and some familiar folks too.Here is one of my favorites.http://i578.photobucket.com/albums/ss227/Moonshadow-/Conder%20Tokens/77967805combinedenhcolorflatdimHR.jpg[/img]]
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Topic: Conder Post.....lets see them (Read 6534 times)
