In
numismatics
Numismatics is the study or collection of currency, including coins, tokens, paper money, medals, and related objects.
Specialists, known as numismatists, are often characterized as students or collectors of coins, but the discipline also inclu ...
, an evasion (also evasion coin, evasion token) is a close copy of a coin with just enough deviation in design and/or legend to avoid violating
counterfeit
A counterfeit is a fake or unauthorized replica of a genuine product, such as money, documents, designer items, or other valuable goods. Counterfeiting generally involves creating an imitation of a genuine item that closely resembles the original ...
laws. The best-known evasions appeared in the 18th century in Great Britain and Ireland.
Details
To counteract the large numbers of underweight, counterfeit copper
and
farthings circulating in 18th-century Britain, Section 6 of the ''
Counterfeiting Coin Act 1741'' made it a crime, punishable by 2 years' imprisonment, to “make, coin or counterfeit any brass or copper money, commonly called a halfpenny or a farthing”; this act was followed by the even stricter ''Counterfeiting of Copper Coin Act 1771'', which made the passing of counterfeit coppers a
felony
A felony is traditionally considered a crime of high seriousness, whereas a misdemeanor is regarded as less serious. The term "felony" originated from English common law (from the French medieval word "''félonie''") to describe an offense that r ...
.
However, counterfeiters soon evaded the law by striking “coins” with designs or inscriptions slightly different from the originals; if caught, they would claim their products were different and not counterfeits.
These pieces usually had a bust on the obverse – often resembling King
George III
George III (George William Frederick; 4 June 173829 January 1820) was King of Great Britain and King of Ireland, Ireland from 25 October 1760 until his death in 1820. The Acts of Union 1800 unified Kingdom of Great Britain, Great Britain and ...
, or some other well known figure – and a seated
Britannia
The image of Britannia () is the national personification of United Kingdom, Britain as a helmeted female warrior holding a trident and shield. An image first used by the Romans in classical antiquity, the Latin was the name variously appli ...
or a harp (for Ireland) on the reverse. Instead of the correct obverse legend “Georgius III Rex”, it may read “George Rules,” “George Reigns” or similar. The reverse legend “Britannia” might be replaced by something like “Briton’s Happy Isles.” Counterfeiters often made their coins look quite worn, some would not add a date or only put a partial date on the die. They also often used earlier dates, such as making halfpence dated 1771 in 1778, or making halfpence with dates and the image of the previous king
George II. The makers of these lightweight pieces did not worry about being caught, as the law did not cover “evasions.”
In addition to circulating in the British Isles, large quantities of evasion (and other) counterfeit copper coins were also shipped to
British America
British America collectively refers to various British colonization of the Americas, colonies of Kingdom of Great Britain, Great Britain and its predecessors states in the Americas prior to the conclusion of the American Revolutionary War in 1 ...
and the
United States
The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...
, particularly from the mid-18th century and especially after 1771.
See also
*
Conder token
References
{{Reflist
Coins of Great Britain
Counterfeit money
Token coins