Lot 584

Description

Convict love token, created on a bronze coin (35.8mm), with both sides shaved smooth, pierced hole at top, on the obverse is engraved a 3-masted sailing ship (convict transport ship?), and on the other side within a laurel wreath in running script, '(whe)n this/you see remember/me untill (sic) i gain/my liberty for/John Tunnell'. A few spots and surface dots, otherwise nearly very fine.

John Tunnell, born at Wellingborough was convicted of burglary at Northampton Quarter Sessions on 21 October 1841 and sentenced to 10 years. He was transported on the Candahar departing on 26 March 1842 and arrived at Van Diemen's Land on 20 July 1842, one of 250 convicts on board. He was granted a Ticket of Leave on 20 October 1847. In January 1849 he was recommended for a Conditional Pardon and in February 1850 this was granted.