Cumberland Jack Token - Victoria To Hanover
1879 year| Brass | 3.73 g | 22.17 mm |
| Location | United Kingdom (United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies) |
|---|---|
| Type | Utility items › Counter tokens |
| Year | 1879 |
| Composition | Brass |
| Weight | 3.73 g |
| Diameter | 22.17 mm |
| Thickness | 1.52 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Technique | Milled |
| Orientation | Medal alignment ↑↑ |
| Updated | 2024-11-14 |
| Numista | N#238961 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 90% |
Reverse
Image of rider on horse to right, and dragon below. Beaded border.
Script: Latin
Lettering:
TO HANOVER
1879
Edge
Smooth but with step suggesting two slightly different sized dies.
Comment
The tokens and counters that bear the words “To Hanover” (commonly known as Cumberland Jacks) are usually found with Victoria’s portrait on the obverse, and a figure riding a horse on the reverse (in the style of St. George slaying the dragon). They were produced as satirical counters (presumably used for gaming).The history behind these pieces is that when Victoria was crowned as Queen, she was unable to fulfil the role of King of Hanover under Salic Law, due to the fact that she was a female. Her unpopular Uncle (Ernest Augustus, the Duke of Cumberland) who was the oldest male heir to the throne, was sent off to Hanover instead to fulfil the role, and the counters/tokens were produced to commemorate (celebrate) his departure. Such was his unpopularity that many of the tokens, on closer inspection, actually depict a monkey on horseback - which was intended to portray the Duke.
They were produced around the time of Victoria’s ascension to the throne in 1837, and continued to be produced for the next few decades. They were finally made illegal in 1883.
