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Great Britain: African Company of Merchants: 1 Ackey Trade Token
Great Britain: African Company of Merchants: 1 Ackey Trade TokenGreat Britain: African Company of Merchants: 1 Ackey Trade Token
Great Britain: African Company of Merchants: 1 Ackey Trade TokenGreat Britain: African Company of Merchants: 1 Ackey Trade Token
Form: Circular
By: Heaton Mint, Birmingham
Date: 1818
Ref:  Laidlaw: 1173;
Variations:
SizeMetalMassValue
33 mmSilver14.1 gm$5,000
33.0 mmCopper-Nickel (Replica)16.7 gm$15
Edge: Upright reeded. The replica has a plain edge.

Obverse: Laureate head of King George right, similar to British coinage. On the truncation: "H" and below: "1 ACKEY TRADE". Legend: "GEORGIUS III D:G:BRITANNIAR:REX F:D".

Reverse: Coat of Arms of the Company of Merchants surmounted by elephant with bannered turret; native supporters on either side, one with feathered crown and holding bow (America), the other with elephant headdress and holding scorpion(?)(Africa), mask below. Legend: "FREE.TRADE.TO.AFRICA.BY.ACT.OF.PARLIAMENT.1750."

Notes: In 1660 King Charles II granted The Company of Royal Adventurers Trading to Africa (the Royal Africa Company) a monopoly over English trade with West Africa. The Company established forts and trading posts along the west coast of Africa and engaged in the shipping of gold and ivory to England and the slave trade across the Atlantic to America. The Royal African Company was dissolved by the African Company Act 1750 with its assets being transferred to the African Company of Merchants. The new Company governed and maintained the infrastructure along the west coast of Africa and facilitated African trade by other companies and individuals. The African Company of Merchants was dissolved in 1821 in favour of direct state control and the territories became British Colonies.

The African Company of Merchants issued token coinage in 1796, 1801 and again in 1818 with denominations of 1, ½ and ¼ Ackey and 1 Tackoe (1/8 Ackey). The 1 Ackey has the same specifications as the British Halfcrown. Proof coins and patterns were also made. The mintages were very small and the coinage was probably more experimental or symbolic rather than a serious introduction of a local trade currency.