British Tokens

Issued by Thomas May of Whitehouse Farm, Woodham Walter, Essex, these bronze One Penny tokens were issued daily to fruit pickers in return for labour based on the amount of fruit picked. They could be cashed up at the end of each day or week, depending on how long the worker was likely to be employed or, in some cases, the tokens were accepted as currency in local shops. These tokens are undated but originate from around 1880, records show that Whitehouse Farm was sold by auction in 1888. These tokens are now scarce and grade very fine.

The co-operative movement, which expanded rapidly after originating in Rochdale in 1844, was based on the concept that its profits were returned to the members in the form of a dividend, calculated as a proportion of each pound spent. The dividend could not be declared until accounts were made up, and it was not easy to keep track of every member’s spending in the meantime. A solution was to give an equivalent face value in tokens with every purchase. When the dividend was declared, all tokens brought in were exchanged at the dividend rate. The redeemed tokens could then be issued again. Many tokens were issued with the value expressed in terms of the goods themselves, such as bread or 1/4 lb. of tea rather than a monetary value.

The co-operative movement, which expanded rapidly after originating in Rochdale in 1844, was based on the concept that its profits were returned to the members in the form of a dividend, calculated as a proportion of each pound spent. The dividend could not be declared until accounts were made up, and it was not easy to keep track of every member’s spending in the meantime. A solution was to give an equivalent face value in tokens with every purchase. When the dividend was declared, all tokens brought in were exchanged at the dividend rate. The redeemed tokens could then be issued again. Many tokens were issued with the value expressed in terms of the goods themselves, such as bread or 1/4 lb. of tea rather than a monetary value.

The co-operative movement, which expanded rapidly after originating in Rochdale in 1844, was based on the concept that its profits were returned to the members in the form of a dividend, calculated as a proportion of each pound spent. The dividend could not be declared until accounts were made up, and it was not easy to keep track of every member’s spending in the meantime. A solution was to give an equivalent face value in tokens with every purchase. When the dividend was declared, all tokens brought in were exchanged at the dividend rate. The redeemed tokens could then be issued again. Many tokens were issued with the value expressed in terms of the goods themselves, such as bread or 1/4 lb. of tea rather than a monetary value.

Because of the shortage of small change in 1811-1812 merchants issued silver tokens with the denominations of Sixpences and Shillings. These private tokens are not only more interesting than the normal coins that would have been struck. But, they are much scarcer and more difficult to find than the coins. The designs vary and you might well find one from a locality that means something to you, but that we cannot guarantee. These Sterling Silver Shilling tokens are in Very Fine condition and well worth having. The price is for one token selected from the available group.

Because of the shortage of small change in 1811-1812 merchants issued silver tokens with the denominations of Sixpences and Shillings. To be honest these private tokens are not only more interesting than the normal coins that would have been struck. But, they are much scarcer and more difficult to find than the coins. The designs vary and you might well find one from a locality that means something to you, but that I cannot guarantee. It has been some time since we last had these scarce tokens to offer our collectors when we did offer them, they quickly sold out. These Sterling Silver Sixpence tokens are in Very Fine condition and well worth having.

We have a Token featuring one of the great industrialists of the time, Charles Roe. Originally from Castleton, Derbyshire, he settled in Macclesfield where he was educated. His early ventures focus on the silk trade but, in 1756, he started mining copper at the Coniston mines in the Lake District and at Alderley Edge, near Macclesfield. In 1758 he built a copper smelter on Macclesfield Common and, in 1767, he further expanded and built a copper smelter in Liverpool. In 1774, the Macclesfield Copper Company was formed together with other partners and became one of the giants of the 18th-century brass trade. Charles Roe died in 1781 but the company continued with the involvement of the other partners and, in 1790, they began issuing these halfpenny tokens with the portrait of Charles Roe and the inscription CHARLES ROE ESTABLISHED THE COPPER WORKS 1758. The reverse shows Industry seated with a mining drill and a cogwheel in her hand with MACCLESFIELD HALFPENNY at the top. The edge inscription reads PAYABLE AT MACCLESFIELD LIVERPOOL OR CONGLETON.

Issued around 1897 as part of a series. Fantastic condition and scarce.

1977 Jubilee Lundy Set comprising of a sheet of 6 stamps issued for local usage and a Puffin and Half Puffin coin based on the famous 1928 token issue of Martin Coles Harman.

SC5, the Bank of England Emergency issue, the later type with the 'Bull Head' of George III. Choice Uncirculated.

Hampshire, Southampton, Taylor & Moody Halfpenny Token, 1791 Obverse: Helmeted bust to right Reverse: Shield of Arms, 1791 Edge: PAYABLE AT THE OFFICE OF W. TAYLOR R.V. MOODY & CO Uncirculated (D&H 89)

Hop Pickers Token. The cultivation of hops was a popular industry and it employed labour for almost all the year. At the peak of the picking season many thousands of pickers were required and these mostly came from London’s East End for a “holiday” with work and pay and were known as “furiners”. Payment for picking was arranged using these hop-tokens mostly made from lead and white metal and produced by the local blacksmith. The number “1” shows the number of bushels picked and the initials “J S” are those of the issuer James Smith of Place Farm, Icklesham, Sussex. The tokens were passed as money between the pickers themselves, and were also accepted by the shops and inns in the locality, who were assured that the tokens would be redeemed later by the growers who issued them.

These very interesting tokens, although dated 1830, depict the portrait of King George III of Great Britain instead of the monarch at that time, King George IV. They were issued by both John Caine and two members of his family, John McTurk and a Mr. Carter originating from Castletown, so they became known as ‘McTurk’, ‘Caine’ and ‘Carter’ tokens. They were issued, as with most token coinage, during a period of chaos when there was a desperate shortage of small copper change available, as was the case on the island at the time with no legal currency having been struck since the 1813 issue.

These interesting tokens originate from King William’s College, Castletown, Isle of Man. They were issued weekly by housemasters as part of pocket money which could be used in the school tuck shop. Three denominations are known to exist, a halfpenny in copper, a penny in brass and a sixpence in aluminium. They are all the same design, showing K.W.C. on the obverse and the denomination within a wreath of oak leaves and acorns on the reverse. Known by the boys as “phoney dough”, the period of use was from 1937-1952. The main reason for their introduction was to prevent boys spending their money at places other than the school tuck shop. The idea being that any profi ts should be routed back for the boys’ benefit.

In 1977 Queen Elizabeth II celebrated her Silver Jubilee 1952-1977. She visited Lundy and a souvenir sheet was issued to honour that event. We have been offering that souvenir sheet with the two coin-tokens of a Puffin and a Half Puffin based on the first Lundy coin-tokens issued in 1929. At that time, the Government took umbrage, and the man who made them had to go to court. Many of our collectors want the coin-tokens, but do not want the souvenir sheet. They are struck in copper and are in brilliant Proof condition. Well worth adding to your collection, after all, how many Lundy issues have there been?

18th century copper token issued by T. Spence in 1796.

Middlesex, National Series Halfpenny Token, 1795. Uncirculated with lustre (D&H 979)

We have a small group scarce Farthing tokens issued for use in Wales in 1793. There are two types which are very similar in design. This one was issued for North Wales, but another was made for South Wales. They both feature on the obverse an uncrowned portrait of The Prince of Wales at the time who was to become King George IV in 1820 with the legend NORTH WALES FARTHING. The reverse has the legend PRO BONO PUBLICO (For the Public Good) above a shield with the Prince of Wales’ crest. They generally grade as About Very Fine but for some reason the South Wales pieces seem slightly better than the North Wales ones but we will try to supply a matching pair if you buy both.

The Royal Arsenal Co-operative Society (RACS) was a large consumer co-operative based in south east London. The co-operative took its name from the Royal Arsenal munitions works in Woolwich and its motto was: “Each for all and all for each”. In 1985 it merged into the national Co-operative Wholesale Society. These two high denomination £1 and £2 tokens were made in plastic for use in the 1950’s and 1960’s and are now rather scarce. Limited availability.

Samuel Fereday was an important Black Country industrialist. Sir Edward Thomason, in his Memoirs, reckoned him to be the greatest ironmaster in the world. In addition to his industrial and mining activities, he was a partner in the Bilston Bank, which failed in the slump of 1816. At the height of his prosperity he and his various companies employed around 5,000 workers, the largest number at that time ever to have been employed by one concern. Fereday issued a range of copper penny tokens in 1811-1812 for the town of Bilston in Staff ordshire with his name and we have a small number available in Very Fine Condition.

Somerset, Bristol Silver Sixpence Token, Garratt & Co. (D55) Extremely Fine

Somerset, Bristol, W. Sheppard, Silver Sixpence, 1811 (D65). Near Extremely Fine.

Somersetshire, Bristol and Wiltshire, Trowbridge, Niblock & Latham, Silver Sixpence, 1811, obv. (D64). Extremely Fine

We have a small group scarce Farthing tokens issued for use in Wales in 1793. There are two types which are very similar in design. This one was issued for South Wales, but another was made for North Wales. They both feature on the obverse an uncrowned portrait of The Prince of Wales at the time who was to become King George IV in 1820 with the legend NORTH WALES FARTHING. The reverse has the legend PRO BONO PUBLICO (For the Public Good) above a shield with the Prince of Wales’ crest. They generally grade as About Very Fine but for some reason the South Wales pieces seem slightly better than the North Wales ones but we will try to supply a matching pair if you buy both.

Staffordshire, Fazeley Silver Sixpence Token 1811, Peel's & Co. (D12) Extremely Fine