08/04/2026
📜 When coins become a voice for the people… history gets even more fascinating.
One of the things we appreciate most about exonumia is that it often tells stories that official coinage never could. This remarkable Middlesex Spence Conder Farthing (Dalton & Hamer 1085) is a perfect example.
The reverse depicts Adam and Eve beneath the powerful inscription:
“MAN OVER MAN HE MADE NOT LORD”
A bold statement advocating equality at a time when political reform and individual rights were hotly debated throughout Britain.
The obverse answers with biting satire:
“AM I NOT THINE ASS”
A crowned king, complete with scepter and oversized spur, rides a creature with the head of an ass—a clever and daring critique of authority. During the late 18th century, privately issued Conder tokens became more than just emergency small change. They provided engravers and political thinkers with an opportunity to spread ideas, challenge power, and spark conversation in a way that circulated from hand to hand across the country.
It’s incredible to think that something as small as a farthing could carry such a powerful message. More than 230 years later, these tokens remain snapshots of the social and political climate of their era, reminding us that history isn’t only written in books—it was struck in copper.
If unique pieces of history like this capture your imagination, we’d love to show you more. We maintain an extensive selection of exonumia, including Conder tokens, Hard Times tokens, Civil War tokens, merchant issues, medals, transportation tokens, encased coins, and many other fascinating collectibles.
📍 Stop by the shop Tuesday–Saturday, or browse online at ahcoinco.com to discover the stories hidden in history’s forgotten treasures.