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TOKEN
Unique ID: SUSS-5AE4A5
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
A worn and corroded copper alloy traders token of John Hicks Boorman, dating to the late 18th century AD. Obverse legend: [EAST GRIN]STEAD HA[LFPENNY], now illegible. Boorman's initials, JHB, are struck in cursive script at the centre, while traces of a pair of scales are visible above; the date below his initials is 179(?). Reverse legend: [PR]O BONO PUBLICO. It is possible to identify traces of the Freemasons arms, crest, supporters and motto on the token face. The token measures 27.9 mm diameter, 1.7 mm thick and weighs 8.05 grams.
A similar example dating to 1795 is illustrated in Kerridge and de Ruiter, 2009, The Tokens, Metallic Tickets, Checks and Passes of West Sussex, 1650-1950, p 130. They discuss information provided by Mr. M.J. Leppard of East Grinstead: 'John Boorman appears in the University British Directory of 1794 as a grocer and draper at East Grinstead. This is partly indicated by the scales on the token for a grocer, and he was no doubt a freemason. He was elected as one of the church re-building trustees on 9th May 1796 when his full name was given as John Hicks Boorman. He occupied the building in the High Street which has been replaced by Barclays Bank.'
Notes:
Although this object is less than 300 years old it is of local significance and hence, has been recorded.
Find of note status
This is a find of note and has been designated: County / local importance
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
Period from: POST MEDIEVAL
Period to: POST MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1790
Date to: Circa AD 1799
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Thickness: 1.7 mm
Weight: 8.05 g
Diameter: 27.9 mm
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Friday 29th April 2011
Personal details
This information is restricted for your access level.
Materials and construction
Primary material: Copper alloy
Manufacture method: Struck or hammered
Completeness: Complete
Numismatic data
No numismatic data has been recorded for this coin yet.
Spatial metadata
Region: South East (European Region)County or Unitary authority: East Sussex (County)
District: Lewes (District)
To be known as: Near Lewes
Spatial coordinates
Grid reference source: GPS (from the finder)
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 1 metre square.
References cited
No references cited so far.
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Workflow: Awaiting validation
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A copper alloy trader's token issued Thomas Bodle of the Mercer's Arms in East Grinstead.
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Workflow: Awaiting validation
Timeline of associated dates
1 comment
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Paul Cannon wrote @ 21:32:29 on the 25th November 2012.
The standard reference to this token is Dalton & Hamer (1910) Sussex East Grinstead 22-22a.
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