Obv: Two barristers standing, holding a label, inscribed BILL OF RIGHTS, another label above MAGNA CHARTA. ERSKINE AND GIBBS AND TRIAL BY JURY around. Rev: T. HARDY I.H. TOOKE. I.A. BONNEY. J. JOYCE. S. KID. J. THELWALL. I. RICHTER. I. BAXTER. 1794. Edge: Milled.
Uncirculated with some red and lustre remaining.
A political token paying tribute to the barristers who successfully defended the accused whose names are shown on the reverse. Accused of sedition by the crown, Erskine fiercely defended his clients ‘freedom of speech’. Famously known as the State Trials of 1794. This was where he earned his “Friend to Freedom and the Rights of Man” title.