It appears as though Spalding traders faced with a shortage of small change took to minting their own coins. These coins were given in change and could only be used in that business. But does anybody have more information about these tokens. Are there more?
2 Responses
Due to the shortage of small coins, trade tokens were made from around 1648 (during the Civil War), through the Interregnum (Oliver Cromwell) and into Charles II’s reign from 1660, until they were made illegal in 1672.
https://coins.nd.edu/ColCoin/ColCoinIntros/Br-TradeTokens.intro.html
During the latter part of the eighteenth century (1780s onwards), a shortage of small coins again prompted traders to mint their own – the majority of which were halfpenny tokens. In 1797, these were banned and the government issued farthing, halfpenny, one penny & twopenny coins.
http://www.thecoppercorner.com/history/18thC_hist.html
Thanks for the input. Are you local? I believe Spalding Gentlemen Society has a good collection.
We would welcome more commentary.
Regards
Geoff Taylor