English: A 'token' made from a halfpenny of George I or II, worn smooth. Various symbols have been stamped onto both surfaces.

Side 1. Three clay tobacco pipes; D; a quatrefoil; a star and 'rod'; a 'rod' and a trefoil.

Side 2. A star and a 'rod'.

Dr David Higgins comments:

"Coins were counterstamped or countermarked for three basic purposes: (1) To indicate official sanction or adoption as legal specie (mostly in the West Indies and South America); (2) for advertising, symbolic or utilitarian purposes for merchants, fraternal organizations, political campaigns, admission requirements, etc.; (3) for ... testing purposes such as silversmiths testing their punches." (Maurice M. Gould, July 1967 issue of "The Numismatist).

This example fits well with the second category. Other examples are shown here (drawn from online auction sites).

The 1797 1d and 2d coins seem to have been the favourites to countermark, but are usually in a very worn condition, suggesting it was done in the 1820s or 1830s.