Finding To Hanover Token in the Wild: A Cherry Picker’s Guide

Introduction: The Art of Roll Hunting

You don’t always need a dealer to find this. Here is what to look for when searching through circulation or bulk lots.

The Historical Significance of To Hanover Tokens

The To Hanover token, commonly known as the “Cumberland Jack,” represents a fascinating intersection of numismatics and political history. These pieces were mass-produced from 1837 until 1883, bearing dates both fictitious and authentic. While early versions may have been sold as souvenirs to the poor, most later versions were sold in bulk packets for use as gambling tokens, as they almost-but-not-quite looked like gold sovereigns.

The Political Message Behind the Design

The token contains a political message that reflects a pivotal moment in British and Hanoverian history. Ever since George I, the Kings of England had been German princes too. But Queen Victoria was disallowed from inheriting the throne of Hanover due to the strict male-only primogeniture laws of that country. The throne passed to the Queen’s cousin, the arch-conservative Duke of Cumberland, a generally unpopular fellow whom the British public were mostly thankful to be rid of. Duke Ernest became King Ernst Augustus I of Hanover.

The token depicts the Duke wearing the Hanoverian crown. Unlike St George who faces and slays the dragon, the Duke is shown avoiding and jumping over the dragon instead. The dragon has two heads, representing the former “un-natural” union of Britain and Hanover. The overall message is simple: “Hanover can keep Cumberland Jack if they want him, good riddance we say; we’ll keep Victoria, thanks.” King Ernst August died in 1851, so if the 1861 date is accurate, the king depicted had been dead for ten years.

Identifying Key Markers

When searching through circulation or bulk lots, look for these distinctive features:

• Diameter: Approximately 22.5 mm
• Weight: Around 4.34 grams
• Edge: Most have reeded edges, applied post-striking by a variant of a Castaing machine
• Design: The Duke of Cumberland wearing the Hanoverian crown, jumping over a two-headed dragon
• Dates: Often bear dates like “1837” (Victoria’s accession year) and “1862” or other years
• Orientation: Some examples show a flipped 180-degree orientation

Understanding the Varieties

There’s an awful lot of variety in Cumberland Jack designs. Not surprising given they were issued for around 50 years from various manufacturers. While most bear dates, the dates are not necessarily to be trusted in terms of being an accurate year of issue. For example, pieces with dates like “1837” and “1862” clearly indicate the token was produced closer to 1862, but manufacturers could have used the dated die for many years afterwards.

Where to Find These Tokens

These tokens can be found in several places:

• Circulation: Though rare, they occasionally appear in pocket change or bank rolls
• Bulk Lots: Often found in mixed coin lots at auctions or coin shops
• Estate Sales: Frequently discovered in inherited collections or household accumulations
• Antique Shops: Sometimes mixed with other tokens or medals

Value and Collectibility

While there isn’t a comprehensive catalog of these pieces, their value remains relatively modest. I thought I recalled the existence of a catalogue of these pieces, but I can’t find any evidence of such a book now. There certainly aren’t too many collectors of these pieces who are actively seeking out a “full set” of the various types, so none of the tokens (not even the notionally rarer ones) seem to carry any sort of market premium.

The End of Production

Cumberland Jacks were produced from 1837 until 1883, when the Counterfeit Medals Act was drafted specifically with the intent of banning them. The token-makers then switched to making “in memory of the good old days” tokens which imitated the by-then-long-obsolete gold guinea, or various foreign coins including Prussian, Austrian, Russian and the Boer Republic of South Africa (since imitating foreign coins was not mentioned in the Act).

Authentication Tips

When examining potential Cumberland Jacks, consider these authentication factors:

• Check the weight and diameter against known specifications
• Examine the edge detail – reeded edges were typically applied post-striking
• Look for the distinctive design elements: the Duke, the two-headed dragon, and the “To Hanover” inscription
• Be aware that dates are often unreliable indicators of age
• Compare with known examples to identify common varieties

Conclusion: A Rewarding Hunt

Finding a Cumberland Jack in circulation or bulk lots remains one of the more rewarding experiences for the dedicated roll hunter. While they may not command high prices, their historical significance and the story they tell about British-Hanoverian relations make them fascinating additions to any collection. The variety in designs and the political message they convey add layers of interest that go beyond mere monetary value. Whether you’re searching through bank rolls, attending estate sales, or browsing bulk lots at coin shows, keeping an eye out for these distinctive tokens can lead to a rewarding discovery that connects you to a fascinating period of history.

Related Resources

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