A Map of France

I found this coin irresistible for its French revolution connection.

Great Britain, temp. Hanover. Emsworth (Hampshire) Æ Half Penny Token (9.73g, 28mm, 6h), AD 1794

Obv: EARL HOWE & THE GLORIOUS FIRST OF JUNE., bust to left

Rev: A MAP OF FRANCE 1794 around foot to left on map, surrounded by square border; FRANCE GLORY HONOR RE/LI/GI/ON. On the edge it reads "CURRENT EVERY WHERE".

Ref: Dalton & Hamer 18.

Historical hook. This coin expresses the patriotic sentiment around Howe’s naval victory (“Glorious First of June,” 1794) and captures the British reaction to the French Revolution. Private copper tokens ("Conder Tokens") filled a small-change shortage in Britain (ca. 1787–1797) and doubled as satire/advertising/politics.

Reverse (the “map” and the foot). The legend “A MAP OF FRANCE · 1794” surrounds a square filled with a human foot - a satirical “map” mocking Revolutionary France.

Inside the square are fractured or inverted words:

• FRA–NCE (divided)

• RE\LI/GI\ON split (cut in pieces)

• GLORY defaced

• throne upside-down

• HONOR under the foot

• in each corner the word FIRE

• a border of daggers (violence/bloodshed)

It’s a compact propaganda tableau of France in 1794 (Reign of Terror/war).

The Execution of Louis XVI in the Place de la Revolution on 21 January 1793, ca 1794. Jean Baptiste Verite.

The Glorious First of June (1794) - this was the first major fleet action of the French Revolutionary War. The execution of Louis XVI (Jan 1793) and French moves in the Low Countries alarmed Britain: they threatened the Channel approach and the balance of power (control of the Netherlands had long been a British red line).

Britain expelled the French ambassador; on 1 Feb 1793 France declared war on Britain and the Dutch. Britain joined the First Coalition (with Austria, Prussia, etc.) to check French expansion and protect trade routes/colonies. The Royal Navy initiated a blockade on French ports, to disrupt commerce, and protect British trade and colonies (notably the West Indies).

France faced acute food shortages; and the Britain aimed to intercept grain convoys and starve French war-making capacity. Britain’s Channel Fleet under Adm. Lord Howe took on France’s Atlantic Fleet under Adm. Villaret-Joyeuse. They fought in the Atlantic about 400–500 miles west of Ushant. When: 28–30 May; decisive action 1 June 1794.

Why it happened: France was desperate to bring a large grain convoy from the United States through a British blockade. Villaret tried to draw Howe away from the convoy; Howe aimed to force a decisive battle.

What happened: Howe seized the upwind position (weather gage), attacked and broke the French line ship-by-ship. The British captured six French ships of the line and sank one (seven lost to France in total). Flagships: HMS Queen Charlotte (Howe) and Montagne (Villaret).

Losses: Roughly 1,200 British casualties vs. about 7,000 French (including prisoners).

It was a tactical British victory and provided a major morale boost that was celebrated in Britain as the “Glorious First of June.” Strategically, however, France’s grain convoy got through, easing famine, so the wider objective was achieved by the French.

The same "foot" theme is found on this coin, an next halfpenny token (Middlesex, 1794), part of the Political & Social series. Cataloged by Dalton & Hamer as Middlesex D&H 1016–1017 (varieties); engraved by William Mainwaring.

Obverse: Five-line legend within an oak-wreath and rays: “MAY / GREAT BRITAIN / EVER REMAIN / THE / REVERSE.” i.e., “May Britain remain the opposite of France’s chaos.”