Obv: Bust to right, HON.T. ERSKINE. (above). Rev: Inscribed in four lines, A FRIEND TO FREEDOM & RIGHTS OF MAN. Edge: Plain.
Extremely Fine with some red remaining. Soft center on reverse.
Thomas Erskine became well known after successfully defending Lord George Gordon for his role in the anti-catholic riots of 1780. Although charged with treason, Erskine was able to win him an acquittal. He would later defend Thomas Paine after he was charged with seditious libel for the publication the second part of his ‘Rights of Man’. The reverse of this token is clearly in reference to this trial. Although Paine was living in France, the jury did however find him guilty.