Token info please?

[coin watch]

Hi all,

I'm after some info on this attached 17th century token, any info would be appreciated as I know nothing at all about these intersting little local means of exchange?

Thanks in advance!

[Paddy]

I can only give you what is in Dickinson:

"Thomas Ellis 1/2 1668 (At the Waggon)" D52 under Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk. Does not appear to be one of those copied into the Withers token book.

Dickinson gives value at £28, which means Withers would give it £56. Nice token!

These were used as local currency in the latter half of the 17th century until the law authorising them was repealed. There are a huge number of different ones - Dickinson lists 50 odd for Bury St Edmunds alone, and nearly 400 in Suffolk. New ones are still being discovered. Any small business or even Parish Council could have them struck and there were companies specialising in making them. They make very interesting history. The non-round ones, particularly heart shaped ones, seem to be the most sought after. 

[coin watch]

Brilliant, thanks for that Paddy, just what I was after!