Lichfield District Council
Octagonal Trade Token - By The City of Lichfield, 1670 (Reverse) (20mm dia)
Location: Lichfield District Council
Accession number: 1983.35.4 rev.
A brass octagonal token, produced by the City of Lichfield in 1670.
This coin is an example of a provincial or trade token. These were coins minted by private individuals or corporations in response to a chronic lack of small denomination coins in Britain. This was caused by limited penny production by the Royal Mint in the 1660s.
This particular token was issued by the City of Lichfield in order to be given as alms to the poor of the City. The coin itself had a value of half a penny. It would have been accepted by local traders and merchants, who would then exchange large quantities of the tokens with the City authorities in exchange for higher denomination, official coinage.
The obverse of the coin features the italic text "The City of". This text appears within a dotted border line. The edge of the coin is heavily worn, however the border would originally have contained the legend: "TO SVPPLY THE POORES NEED".
The reverse of the coin is designed in the same style as the obverse. The centre of the reverse is heavily worn, but would originally have featured the italic text: "Lichfield". The border enclosing the central text would originally have read: "IS CHARITY INDEED" along with the date "1670".
Octagonal Trade Token - By The City of Lichfield, 1670 (Reverse) (20mm dia)
Location: Lichfield District Council
Accession number: 1983.35.4 rev.
A brass octagonal token, produced by the City of Lichfield in 1670.
This coin is an example of a provincial or trade token. These were coins minted by private individuals or corporations in response to a chronic lack of small denomination coins in Britain. This was caused by limited penny production by the Royal Mint in the 1660s.
This particular token was issued by the City of Lichfield in order to be given as alms to the poor of the City. The coin itself had a value of half a penny. It would have been accepted by local traders and merchants, who would then exchange large quantities of the tokens with the City authorities in exchange for higher denomination, official coinage.
The obverse of the coin features the italic text "The City of". This text appears within a dotted border line. The edge of the coin is heavily worn, however the border would originally have contained the legend: "TO SVPPLY THE POORES NEED".
The reverse of the coin is designed in the same style as the obverse. The centre of the reverse is heavily worn, but would originally have featured the italic text: "Lichfield". The border enclosing the central text would originally have read: "IS CHARITY INDEED" along with the date "1670".