Suffragette Pennies

Penny with 'Votes For Women' stamped in capitals on the obverse, which bears the head of King Edward VII.

Defacing coins was a criminal act that could lead to a prison sentence. Using small change meant that the coin was more likely to remain in circulation for years. A few coins with ‘VOTES FOR WOMEN’ hand stamped over the king’s head have been attributed to the suffragette movement but many fakes are in circulation. Of these three coins, only the 1906 issue (GWL-2018-56) is believed to be a genuine ‘suffragette penny’, stamped around 1913.

Item Details

Date: 1900s-1910s

Catalogue record: GWL-2018-56; GWL-2017-38; GWL-2017-96-6

Type of object:

Material: Copper

Item Media

Item Images

Penny with 'Votes For Women' stamped in capitals on the obverse, which bears the head of King Edward VII.
The authenticity of this coin as a "suffragette penny" is uncertain but it is thought likely to be one of a small number of pennies defaced around 1913.
A slightly oxidized penny that bears the image of Britannia, seated. Dated 1906.
A penny with 'Votes For Women' stamped in capitals on the obverse, which bears the head of King George V
This coin is believed to be a modern replica rather than an authentically defaced "suffragette penny".
A penny bearing the image of Britannia, seated. Dated 1912.
A penny with the head of King Edward VII stamped with the words 'Give Women The Vote' in capitals.
This coin is believed to be a modern replica rather than an authentically defaced "suffragette penny".
Penny with the image of a seated Britannia. Dated 1907.

Connections and References

References

Posts and pages from around the website which refer to this Collection Item

We Deserve a Medal: Militant Suffrage Activism

The fight for women's suffrage in the UK grew and gained momentum throughout the Victorian era. WSPU activists, known as suffragettes, engaged in all sorts of law-breaking activities to raise the profile of the movement. At the time, these actions were considered shocking and divided public opinion, but suffragettes remained resolute. Thousands were arrested, imprisoned and force-fed.