Political and Social Series, Choral Fund Halfpenny, 1791 (D&H Middlesex 1022)

Political and Social Series, Choral Fund Halfpenny, 1791 (D&H Middlesex 1022) Obv: A bust in profile to left. Around the perimeter G. F. HANDEL. I KNOW THAT MY REDEEMER LIVITH.  Rev: An inscription in the center BENEVOLENT CHORAL FUND INSTITUTED 1791 and around the perimeter FOR ITS DECAY'D MEMBERS WIDOWS AND ORPHANS . Large letters, period after ORPHANS Edge: Plain  (Conder p.224, 117;  Atkins p. 370, 105; D&H Middlesex 1022)

From the late state of the reverse die. Nearly as made. The center of the reverse softly struck up per usual.

This token may have been issued by the organizers of the fund as a means of raising money. Handel died in 1759 and the use of his name in connection with a choral fund appeal indicates the continuing popularity of his music. The quotation is from the ‘Messiah’ and the book of Job [19:25].