This guide helps to identify varieties of Middlesex Williams' halfpenny token (DH 913-917). The obverse contains the Prince of Wales' crest upon a portcullis; the inscription W. WILLIAMS LONDON is located under it. RENDER TO CAESAR THE THINGS THAT ARE CAESAR'S. The reverse displays a crown on the arms of London, and "FEAR GOD AND HONOUR THE KING 1795" around the rim. While token design isn't very remarkable, it is easily recognized. The token often appears on the market in a high grade.

There are five varieties listed in D&H, and there seems to be much confusion between Nos. 914-916.

Obverse dies

Obverse for No. 913

No. 913 has an obverse die which is different from other Williams' tokens and is easy to differentiate. The second bar of portcullis from the right hand comes between the letters A and M of "WILLIAMS.":

This die can also be found on mules Nos. 918, 919.

Obverse for Nos. 914-917

The rest of the varieties (914-917) has an obverse die with the second bar of portcullis from the right hand coming directly above the A of "WILLIAMS.":

Reverse dies

Reverse dies are mostly classified by D&H by number of pearls on top of the crown.

Reverse for No. 914

This is fairly rare reverse. It clearly contains nine pearls each side of the crown. Each perl is round shaped and there are no artifacts which can be mistaken for more pearls. The left dot on the crown base is leaning towards the diamond shaped decoration in the center.

Reverse for No. 915

According D&H, it has nine pearls to left, and eight to right. Additional signature which I have introduced is a position of a dot on the crown base. Fortunately, it is visible on D&H photos. On this variety the dot is shifted to the left (towards the triangle):

No. 915 has some minor detail which could be taken for ninth pearl on the right side. There are no stray dots over left-side pearls.

This die can also be found on mule No. 920.

Reverse for No. 916

No. 916 is described by the phrase "The crown further from legend." This has resulted in much confusion and I believe has led to many erroneous identifications.

The dot on the crown base is leaning slightly towards the diamond:

Four stray dots are located over left-side pearls. In fact, there are even more stray dots on this reverse, but these are the most prominent. These dots can be found even on low grade tokens. As in No. 915, there is some minor detail which could be taken for ninth pearl on the right side of the crown.

This die can also be found on mules Nos. 921, 922.

Reverse for No. 917

This reverse clearly contains ten pearls on the left side of the crown. Tenth perl (lowest one) is rather small. The left dot on the crown base is located nearly at the center of space between the triangle and the diamond.

Notes

The rarity of Nos. 915 and 916 seems to be about the same, therefore No. 916 is not rare. I have excellent sample of No. 916 in my collection.