Birmingham Workhouse trader's tokens.

[Guest Aidan Work]

How many of you have either seen these pieces,or have got at least one in their collection? I have got the 1d.s dated 1812 & 1814,2 of the huge copper 3d.s (one of which has a slight die misalignment) dated 1813,& a silver 1/- dated 1811.I like the obverse design,which depicts the Birmingham Workhouse building.I'd be very surprised if that hasn't been demolished like a lot of old buildings have been.The shield on the reverse looks like it comes from the Birmingham civic Coat-of-Arms.

The 1d.s turn up from time to time in collections.I bought them off a couple of New Zealand dealers for around NZ$10 each.The huge copper 3d.s were around NZ$30-35,& the silver 1/- cost me NZ$100.

I have been told that the Birmingham Workhouse also issued a copper 6d. token.If that is correct,then that would have been a huge monstrosity that would have been very difficult to put into a pocket.

Aidan.

[TomGoodheart]

I have been told that the Birmingham Workhouse also issued a copper 6d. token.If that is correct,then that would have been a huge monstrosity that would have been very difficult to put into a pocket.

Indeed, the one for sale in an old copy of Spink's Numismatic Circular weighs over 145g. That's the weight of five modern 'crowns' or two cartwheel twopence! Only six specimens struck the entry says and I can see why!! Just for information, the diameter is the same as the 3d so presumably it's like a 'piedfort' 3d!

[scottishmoney]

The Birmingham 3d's are scarce to find in choice conditions however, I have seen dozens of them, but have only found one which suited my particularly stringent desires for such a piece. In searching through my PC files I tried to find the image of it, but of course I deleted it.

[Guest Aidan Work]

The silver 1/- was a very lucky find,as I had never seen one before it,& I haven't seen one since.I was there in the right place at the right time.I would have been a real mug to have turned it down.

Aidan.

[TomGoodheart]

I'm not sure if you know that, although token currency was declared illegal in 1817 (following the introduction of the new coin the previous year) those of Birmingham and Sheffield Workhouses were given an exemption for a short time (until 1820 and 1823 respectively).

Effectively I think this makes these types the only ones officially recognised as legal tender, albeit for a short while.

This is because Parliament realised that many people would suffer severe hardship were their small change to become worthless 'overnight'.

[scottishmoney]

Which might account for their rather worn states of preservation now. Many of them appear as though they might have served duly as grape shot during the Napoleonic wars on the Continent.