17th Century Tokens
The 17th‑century token series represents one of the most fascinating and diverse chapters in British numismatics. Issued between 1648 and 1672, these privately produced farthings, halfpennies, and occasionally pennies were struck by tradesmen, innkeepers, merchants, and civic officials to alleviate a chronic shortage of small change. Their designs often feature occupational symbols, town arms, initials, and personal devices, providing a vivid record of local commerce and community identity in the decades surrounding the English Civil War and Restoration. Each token offers a direct connection to the everyday economic life of provincial Britain.
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Cambridgeshire
WTL 10847 — Wisbech
Wisbech. 17th Century Token. Farthing. RICHARD HARRISON, haberdasher's Arms. ® OF WISBICH 1664, R H with rosette above and below. Dickinson # 208. Rare.
£25.00
Leicestershire
WTL 10911 — Market Harborough
Market Harborough. 17th Century Token. Farthing. IOHN RYLAND, Arrow. ® BY HARBROW, I R in centre. Unrecorded in Norweb, Williamson, or Dickinson. One other noted: Noonans 20 Sept 2023, Lot 1224.
£95.00
Lincolnshire
WTL 8521 — Brigg
Brigg. 17th Century Token. * ROBERT * TRO[WA]N **. HIS / HALF / PENY /***. ® * IN * BR[I]G * 1668 * rose. Dickinson # 48.
£20.00
WTL 9115 — Caistor
Caistor. 17th Century Token. * IOHN * LATHORP * Grocer's Arms. ® * OF * CASTER * 1668 around HIS HALF PENY in three lines, * below. Dickinson # 51.
£55.00
WTL 7403 — Horncastle
Horncastle. 17th Century Token. RICHARD CATER. 1/4 Tallowchandlers arms. Dickinson # 122.
£45.00
WTL 7689 — Lincoln
Lincoln. 17th Century Token. Farthing. *SAMVELL AISTROP. Mercer's Arms. ® * IN LINCOLNE. around S A. Dickinson # 142.
£35.00
WTL 10009 — Lincoln
Lincoln. 17th Century Token. Farthing. EDWARD TOMSON IN, ironmonger's Arms. ® THE BALE OF LINCOLN, around E (rosette) T. Dickinson # 169.
£15.00
Nottinghamshire
WTL 8284 — Newark
Newark. 17th Century Token. * MATHEW NEWHAM. Mercers arms. ® * IN NEWARKE 1657. M N in centre. Dickinson # 40.
£45.00
Somerset
WTL 7341 — Ilchester
Ilchester. 17th Century Token. Town 1/2d. YE BAYLIFF OF YE BVRROV. ® Town arms. IVELCHESTER. Dickinson # 159. Uneven flan. Ex Cyril Rowe.
£35.00
Staffordshire
WTL 6794 — Burslem
Burslem. 17th Century Token. IOHN STEAD. Blacksmith's hammer and tongs crossed. ® IN BARSLEM 1669. HIS / HALF / PENY, S over ID below. Cf. SCBI 46, 4195; cf. Dickinson # 6B; Williamson -. 21.7 mm. Not listed in Williamson; Norweb example has illegible obverse. Extremely rare.
£185.00
Yorkshire
WTL 8853 — Bedale
Bedale. 17th Century Token. * WILLIAM * LODGE *. Mercer's Arms. ® * IN * BEADELL * 1664. W. L with rosette above and below. Dickinson # 19.
£50.00
WTL 8130 — Bridlington
Bridlington. 17th Century Token. * BARTHOL. ANDERSON. Arms (three stars around chevron). ® * AT. BRIDLINGTON. KEY around HIS HALF PENY. Dickinson # 47. Scarce.
£165.00
WTL 7289 — Bridlington
Bridlington. 17th Century Token. * THOMAS FENTON OF. HIS / HALF / PENY. ® * BRIDLINGTON KEY. Family arms. Dickinson # 52.
£75.00
WTL 6627 — Doncaster
Doncaster. 17th Century Token. THOMAS BVRTON. Mercers arms. ® DONCASTER 1667. HIS / HALF / PENY. Dickinson # 65.
£35.00
WTL 8593 — Doncaster
Doncaster. 17th Century Token. * GEORGE * RASINE *. Apothecarie's arms. ® * DONCASTER * 1665 HIS / HALF / PENY. Dickinson # 80/1.
£145.00
WTL 8522 — Elland
Elland. 17th Century Token. * ABRAHAM * SLATER. Fleur‑de‑lis. ® * OF * EALAND * 1668 *. HIS / HALF / PENY / A * S. Dickinson # 90.
£85.00
WTL 8523 — Kingston‑upon‑Hull
Kingston‑upon‑Hull. 17th Century Token. * EDWARD. HODGSON. MARCHT. Three hats. ® * IN. KINGSTON. ON. HVLL.:. HIS / HALF / PENY / E H M. Dickinson # 147.
£65.00
WTL 9892 — Leeds
Leeds. 17th Century Token. PHINEAS LAMBE 1666, around a lion couchant. ® THOMAS HARDWICKE, around THEIR HALF PENY in three lines. Dickinson uncertain # 49. See Yorkshire Numismatist vol. 3, p.108. Pierced at 5 o'clock.
£20.00
WTL 9893 — Pontefract
Pontefract. 17th Century Token. RICHARD LYLE, around castle. ® IN PONTEFRACT, around L R M in two lines. Dickinson # 265.
£20.00
WTL 8847 — Pontefract
Pontefract. 17th Century Token. * IOSEPH WILSON .1666 Tallowchandlers arms. ® * IN. PONTEFRACT. around *W* / I:E / *. Dickinson # 268. Pierced at 12 o'clock.
£275.00
