Yeovil's Virtual Museum

• Lead Tokens
  
  
• Early Trade Tokens
  
  
• Later Trade Tokens
  
  
• Friendly Society Tokens

• Public House 'Checks'
  
  
• Industrial Checks
  
  
• Commemorative Medallions
  
  
• A Bit of a Mystery

At top, for clarity, is an illustration of a farthing token issued by Christopher Allembridge (the younger) and, below it, are two of the three examples in my collection. Both these tokens measure 15.48mm across, while the third measures 16.98mm. I have yet to determine whether this is due to wear or a different die. While the illustration has six twists of tobacco, the actual examples have seven twists.

On the obverse, within an outer twisted wire circle, it is inscribed  "CHRI ALLEMBRIDGE" around the image of a pipe and roll of tobacco. On the reverse is "OF YEAVELL" and the date 1656 around a plain wire inner circle containing "A.C.M." - again these three initials represent the forenames of the issuer and his wife plus their surname.

Christopher Allambridge was recorded as a "Tobacconist of Evil" in 1634. However, since the wife of Christopher Allembridge the elder was named Joane and he died in 1645 it is clear that this token was issued by the son, Christopher Allembridge the younger, whose wife's name began with an 'M'. 

This farthing token, about 12mm in diameter, was issued by John Boone of Yeovil. The token is not dated, although almost certainly mid-seventeenth century. The obverse has a fine twisted wire outer circle, the name "JOHN BOONE", an inner twisted wire circle and a central motif of a hand (or a glove?). The reverse has "IN YEOVILL" around a twisted wire inner circle and the initial B over I(J) A within. Tokens usually had three initials for the two forenames of the issuer and his wife plus their surname.

This farthing token was issued by John Hayne in 1652. The obverse has a fine twisted wire outer circle, with the name "IOHN HAYNE" around a central motif of a lion rampant (you'll have to take my word for that). The reverse has "IN YEAVELL" and the date 1652 between twisted wire inner and outer circles and the initials "H I (J) D" within.

A variety, lacking a date, reads "OF EYEAVELL" (W335a).

The three Phillip Haynes farthing trade tokens seen at left and the large image below, all from my collection, are each about 15mm in diameter. Each shows subtle details not visible in the other examples.

The obverse has a fine twisted wire outer circle, seen clearest in the second example, with the name "PHILLIP HAYNES" around the edge. In the centre is a dove with an olive branch in its beak.

The reverse again has a fine beaded ring around the outside, seen clearest in the first example, with "IN YEAVELL" and the date 1655 around the token. Then comes an inner beaded ring with  the initials "PH" in the centre.

The tokens are seen against a scale to give a better indication of size, although again it cannot show how very thin the tokens are - about 0.75mm.

A farthing token, again only about 12mm in diameter, was issued in Yeovil by George Moore. It is inscribed on the obverse "GEORGE . MOORE" within an outer twisted wire circle and an inner twisted wire inner circle contains the initials "MGE" separated by three small stars and a central 'dot'. The reverse carries "OF . EYEAVILL" within an outer and inner twisted wire circle and a repeat of the initials.

At least one variant, from a different die, is known.

This farthing token, only about 12mm in diameter, is probably from the White Hart (an early name for the Castle Hotel), Middle Street, dated 1668, depicts a hart on the obverse, together with the licensee's name, ''RICHARD MOORE'. On the reverse is inscribed 'OF YEAVELL - 1668' around a twisted wire inner circle containing 'M.R.D.' being the surname and two fore names of the issuer and his wife.

At least one variant (W.338a) from a different die, is known.

At left, above the scale, is a farthing token from my collection, shown in obverse and reverse, issued by Ambrose Seward.

The token has, within a twisted wire outer circle, the words "AMBROSE SEWARD . IN" around a central cross pattée. The reverse has an outer twisted wire circle with "YEOVELL . IN . SOMERSET", an inner twisted wire circle and central initials "S A A".

Interestingly the token is not dated, although almost certainly mid-seventeenth century, and the lower four tokens show variations that prove that at least four issues of the token were made, probably over a period of several years.

The second example has a much thicker cross, the third example (W.340) omits the word "IN" which is replaced by three small stars, while the bottom example has the three stars replaced with two dots and a star.

In 1647 the Quarter Sessions recorded that Ambrose Seaward was a 'Constable of the Borough'. In monthly Poor Rate Return it was recorded that Ambrose paid 8s 0d on a property in the Borough and a further 8s 0d on a property in Kingston.

It is most likely that the Ambrose Seaward who issued these tokens was a mercer and certainly the Woborn Muniments recorded that (another) Ambrose was a mercer in 1710 and Custos of the Almshouse in 1704 and again in 1716.

This is an unusual Victorian trade token issued by Bristol-born Charles Gardiner who was a tea dealer, grocer, provisions merchant and wine & spirits merchant in the Borough and is only recorded in trade directories between 1850 and 1852. By 1861 he had left Yeovil. The token is 25mm in diameter. On the obverse it reads "GARDINER'S GENUINE T WAREHOUSE - MARKET PLACE - YEOVIL". On the reverse it says "EIGHT OF THESE WILL BUY AN OZ. (ounce) OF TEA AT GARDINERS - MARKET PLACE - YEOVIL".

The top image is an illustration for clarity, the lower image is the example in my collection.

The Yeovil Industrial Provident Society was an early society in Yeovil based along similar lines to the later Co-operative Society. The society began in 1858 but only lasted until 1862. The very scarce ½d dividend check or token in my collection, shown above, was issued by the society and the short life of the society dates the token with some accuracy. The token is 22mm in diameter, 0.75mm thick and made of stamped, tinned iron. A bronze one shilling token and a stamped tinned iron token for one pound are also known.

A bronze commodity token, from my collection, issued by the Yeovil & District Co-operative Society for a pint of milk. This type of token started to come into use after the First World War. They could be purchased at the local co-op as required, or in bulk and the value credited to your dividend account. The tokens could be left out or given to the delivery man meaning deliveries were speeded up as no cash was involved or change given. This token is 27mm point-to-point, 25.3mm flat-to-flat. Obverse and reverse are identical.

An oval bronze token for a half pint of milk is also known.

When the price of the commodity was altered a token of a different shape or different colour was usually issued to denote this, especially with the later Yeovil plastic tokens of the 1950s / 60s which are known in cream (as this example), green, yellow, deep turquoise and red.

These plastic tokens are 25mm in diameter and 1.75mm thick.

These tokens, or 'Store Currency', from my collection, were introduced at Denner's store in High Street in the 1950s. Originally paper notes for 6d,
2s 6d, 10s and £1 were introduced and specimens are held in the Somerset County Museum collection. However, with frequent handling the notes became worn so the lower denominations were made from metal as seen here.

The earlier issue post-decimalisation 5p and 10p at left have milled edges, the later issue, at right, have plain edges. A 50p token is also known.

Tokens appear to have been discontinued in the store by the mid-1980s.

This is a public house 'check' or trade token from my collection, probably issued in the late nineteenth century, from the Albion Inn in Vicarage Street for the value 1½d. On the obverse is "THE ALBION" above "VICARAGE STREET" above "YEOVIL", the reverse has the standard open wreath containing the value 1½d. Made of brass, it is just under 24mm in diameter and is 1.4mm thick.

This is a public house 'check' from my collection, probably issued in the late nineteenth century, from the Black Horse Inn, Reckleford for the value 1½d. On the obverse is "BLACK" above "HORSE" above "INN", the reverse has just the value 1½d. Made of bronze or brass, it is just under 22mm in diameter and is 1.7mm thick.

At left is a public house 'check' from my collection which is easily dated since it was issued by John Reed when he was proprietor of the Mermaid Hotel and he was only recorded there in 1897. On the obverse is "MERMAID HOTEL" over "J REED" over "PROPRIETOR" over "YEOVIL", the reverse has the standard closed wreath containing the value 2d. Made of bronze or brass, it is just under 28mm in diameter and is 1.2mm thick.

The lower example is different only in its value - 3d. At this time three old pence could buy you a good feed of tripe and onions.

This is a  twentieth century public house 'check'  issued at the Alexandra Hotel, Station Road, during the period LC Smith was licensee - roughly between 1936 and 1947. It is made of brass, 24.5mm in diameter and with a plain edge. On the obverse it says "LC SMITH, ALEXANDER (note the spelling mistake) HOTEL, YEOVIL" and on the reverse is its value - 6d. At this time sixpence could buy you a roast beef dinner with vegetables or 2½ pints of stout.

This is a public house 'check' or trade token issued at the Elephant and Castle Hotel, Lower Middle Street, during the period George Snelgrove was licensee - roughly between 1871 and 1881. It is made of brass. The check is 23.7mm in diameter and with a milled edge. On the obverse it says "GEOE. SNELGROVE - BOWLING ALLEY - ELEPHANT & CASTLE - YEOVIL" and on the reverse is the maker's name "S.A. DANIELL MAKER - 52 ST PAUL'S SQUARE - BIRMINGHAM" and the check's value - 2d. At this time two old pence could buy you a pint of stout.

A public house 'check' from the Crown Inn in Huish, again to the value of 2d. Probably dating to the late nineteenth or early twentieth century, the obverse reads "CROWN INN" over "YEOVIL", while the rather plain reverse simply states the value of two old pence.

At left are a couple of public house 'checks' issued at the George Hotel, Middle Street. The date of the upper token is unknown but the lower token was issued in the time when Robert Leach was landlord, thus dating it to 1879-80. They were made of copper, and were 23.8mm in diameter and with a milled edge. On the obverse of the upper check it says "MIDDLE STREET - THE GEORGE HOTEL - YEOVIL" and on the obverse of the lower example it reads "ROBERT LEACH - THE GEORGE HOTEL - YEOVIL" the reverse of both are identical and carry the maker's name "S.A. DANIELL MAKER - LION WORKS EDWARD STREET PARADE - BIRMINGHAM" and the checks' value - 2D. At this time two old pence could buy you a pint of stout.

Another twentieth century 'check' issued at the Glovers Arms, Reckleford, during the period William Bond was licensee - from about 1911 until 1923. It is made of brass, is 23.8mm in diameter and has a milled edge. On the obverse it says "WILLIAM BOND - GLOVERS ARMS - YEOVIL" and on the reverse, within a wreath, is its value - 2d. Again worth a pint of stout.

At left is an undated, but probably early twentieth century, public house 'check' or trade token issued at the Great Western Hotel, Camborne Grove. It is made of brass, is 26.2mm in diameter and has a milled edge. The reverse is plain but on the obverse it says "G.W. HOTEL" and its value - 3d. At this time three old pence could buy you a pint of beer. 

This is an undated, but probably late Victorian, public house 'check' issued at the Half Moon Inn, Silver Street. It is made of brass, is 18.7mm in diameter and has a plain edge. On the obverse it says "HALF MOON - HOTEL - YEOVIL" and on the reverse the name of the maker "E SEAGE. MAKER - 17 CODRINGTON ST. EXETER" and is its value - 2d. At this time two old pence could buy you a pint or two of ale.

At left is an undated but probably late Victorian public house 'check' issued at the Pall Hotel, Silver Street. It is made of brass, is 25mm in diameter and has a milled edge. The reverse is plain but on the obverse it says "PALL HOTEL, YEOVIL" and its value - 2D. At this time two old pence could buy you a pint of stout. 

This is an undated, but probably late Victorian, public house 'check' or trade token issued at the Pen Mill Hotel. It is made of tinned brass, is 23.7mm in diameter and has a plain edge. On the obverse it says "PEN MILL - HOTEL" and on the reverse, within a wreath, is its value - 1½d. At this time a penny-halfpenny could buy you a pint of ale.

This undated public house 'check' or trade token is attributed to the Three Choughs Hotel. It is early Victorian, made of brass, is 23.4mm in diameter and has a plain edge. On the obverse it says "C.R.S." and its value - 3d. At this time three old pence could buy you a good roast beef dinner. On the reverse is "M. BULLEN" for Maria Bullen who was licensee of the Three Choughs Hotel from at least 1830 until at least 1861.

This check, possibly later eighteenth century, is tentatively attributed to the Three Choughs Hotel. It too is made of brass, is 22.8mm in diameter and has a plain edge. On the obverse is a bird, presumably a Chough, and on the reverse "C H" - presumably the initials of Chough's Hotel. No denomination is marked.