British Tokens

Miscellaneous, Engraved coin, a George III Penny, 1797, worn smooth and stipple-engraved (The reptiles of the earth have exhausted every drain to Banish/me from this earth all their efforts are [in] vain, J. Slark), 24.08g. A convict token; somewhat dirty, otherwise fine £100-150

Three convicts by this name were transported to Van Diemen’s Land (Tasmania), namely Joseph Slark, convicted at Berkshire Assizes on 29 February 1828 to serve 7 years (transported 16 July 1828); John Slark, convicted at Surrey Quarter Sessions to serve a life sentence (transported 31 March 1832); and John Slark, aged 22, convicted at the Central Criminal Court (Old Bailey) on 25 October 1841 of a robbery at the house of Hester Johnson, 17 East street, Manchester square, Marylebone, to serve 15 years (transported 15 July 1842). On the basis of the inscription on the coin opinion would favour the individual transported in 1832