Middlesex 209 (RRR). Political and social series. White metal penny. 10.94 gm. 31 mm. A figure of Thomas Paine hanging from a tree holding a book in his outstretched hands; a cartoon balloon with his comment: I DIE FOR THIS DAMN'D BOOK; across the tops of the branches of the tree: TOMMY'S RIGHTS OF MAN. A TREE IS KNOWN BY ITS FRUIT around; in the background, the church and steeple that also show up on the copper halfpennies. / MAY THE TREE | OF LIBERTY EXIST TO | BEAR TOMMY'S | LAST FRIEND. Near Extremely Fine; lightly toned; generally fresh and free of tin pest other than a small spot on the ground next to the tree and a couple of slight spots on the edges-a pleasing example of this unusual and historic issue.

The Mike Sussman Collection of British Trade Tokens.

The copper issues showing Thomas Paine have become part of the American series of historic tokens.