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Unique ID: LON-BFB2B5
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation
A post medieval copper alloy trade token farthing of John Ellis from Greenwich dating AD1648-1674. The token is recorded in Boyne (1858), p. 136 ref. 270, but here the spelling of Greenwich is correct as we spell it today. Ellis must, therefore, have had at least two different issues in which the spelling of the location was changed.
Obverse description: A sugar-loaf.
Obverse inscription: IOHN. ELLIS
Reverse description: I. H. E.
Reverse inscription: IN GRENEWICH
Degree of wear: Hardly worn: extremely fine
Dimensions: diameter: 15.49mm; weight: 0.86g.
Reference: Boyne, W. 1858. Tokens issued in the seventeenth century. John Russell Smith: London.
Notes:
Ellis must have been involved in the production or sale of refined sugar, as this was traditionally sold in the form of a sugar-loaf until granulated sugar became popular in the nineteenth century.
Copper alloy trade tokens were first struck in 1648. In 1656 half penny tokens were introduced. 1674 by Royal decree production of trade tokens ceased. Pers comm Verity Anthony.
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
Period from: POST MEDIEVAL
Period to: POST MEDIEVAL
Date from: AD 1648
Date to: AD 1674
Quantity: 1
Weight: 0.86 g
Diameter: 15.49 mm
Date(s) of discovery: Thursday 1st October 2009
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Primary material: Copper alloy
Manufacture method: Struck or hammered
Completeness: Complete
Denomination: Uncertain
Obverse description: A sugar-loaf.
Obverse inscription: IOHN. ELLIS
Reverse description: I. H. E.
Reverse inscription: IN GRENEWICH
Degree of wear: Hardly worn: extremely fine
4 Figure: TQ3579
Four figure Latitude: 51.493833
Four figure longitude: -0.05674
1:25K map: TQ3579
1:10K map: TQ37NE
Grid reference source: From a paper map
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 10 metre square.
No references cited so far.