The first article in this series described the contemporary tokens relating to Admiral Rodney. As would be expected with such a popular national figure, many inns and taverns were subsequently named after him. A few have survived to this day. Several of the Inns issued tokens and these are described here along with some background research.
Tokens and Jettons
Admiral George Brydges Rodney (i) History and Contemporary Tokens – Gary Oddie
This is the first of four short notes prompted by the acquisition of a shilling sized disc of silver engraved with a three masted sailing ship and the motto “Succefs to the LORD RODNEY”. In this note the life of Admiral George Brydges Rodney will be described, along with a few contemporary tokens and engraved coins. Prior to Admiral Nelson and the Battle of Trafalgar, Admiral Rodney was one of the most significant characters in British maritime history. Subsequent notes will describe some more tokens, coins and medals etc. that were struck in celebration of Lord Rodney and his naval successes. The final note will present the story behind the engraved coin that started this work and the ship The Lord Rodney.
The Numismatic Ancestors of Francis Cokayne – Gary Oddie
One of the interesting aspects of researching tokens is sometimes finding more than the usual who, when, where and why? In many, if not most, cases information can be hard to find and the story difficult to put together. In the case presented here and first presented at the 2018 Token Congress, the challenge was how to distil a very big story into a one hour presentation. Here I will present a brief summary of how a very unexpected connection was made; that between Sir Vicary Gibbs, Antony Gibbs, Henry Hucks Gibbs and Francis Cokayne.
An Unlisted ‘Irish’ Medieval Jetton – A. G. Bliss
In 2017, the author was given an unusual jetton for recording on PAS. This jetton was particularly interesting, as its obverse face depicted a harp – a design unlisted in Mitchiner’s standard catalogue. Only one other parallel for this piece could be found, also recorded on the PAS. A third example appeared recently, offered for sale via an online auction site and reportedly found in Norfolk. This note serves to catalogue and discuss these interesting pieces, with the hope that more may emerge in the future.
Elias Neel Jersey Bank Token of 1812 – Hugh Pagan
This note explores the circumstances surrounding the manufacture of the Elias Neel Jersey Bank Token of 1812, seemingly known only from a single specimen of which the whereabouts cannot be traced today. It also discusses which of three Elias Neels living on the island of Jersey is most likely to have been the individual for whom the token was struck.
Manville Type 115. Is it Genuine or Fake? – Tom Ward and Eric C. Hodge
Allocating an issuer for a merchant countermarked dollar, where only the issuer’s initials are present, will always be a complicated task. At the same time questions must be raised for the reasons to use initials, where a full name would assist with the acceptance and distribution of the countermarked coin. The example of the countermark J D over 5•6 is discussed at length in this article.
Correction of an Ownership Misconception – Tom Ward & Eric C. Hodge
It is easy to use information that has already been published, but wherever possible recourse to primary source documents is preferable. In the case of the Adelphi Cotton Works this has been proven with three business concerns being discovered with the same name. This in turn has led to confusion regarding ownership. Hopefully this article will clarify the position of the Twigg brothers regarding their involvement in the cotton trade during the period of the Industrial Revolution in Glasgow.
Dies for a Fantasy Bristol Public Free Libraries Token – Gary Oddie
Two previous articles have described a group of dies that have been used to create modern copies of various tokens. These included transport tokens from England and a plantation token from the Dutch East Indies. Two further dies from this group have recently been located and are described here.
Ballindalloch Works Checks revisited – Further Contemporary Documentation Discovered – Eric C. Hodge
Further to my article for the BNS research blog filed under Tokens, dated 12 July 2018, and headed Ballindalloch Works Checks, more documentation has been discovered that casts new light on these issues of Works Checks by the Ballindalloch Cotton Works.
A New Reverse Legend for Rigold’s Series I/C Groat-Sized ‘Boy Bishop’ Tokens – A. G. Bliss
During the later 15th and early 16th century, large numbers of leaden tokens were produced across Suffolk as a component of the ‘Boy Bishop’ festivities that accompanied the liturgical celebration of St Nicholas. Despite the large quantities of these tokens that exist and the proliferation of new variants, little work has been undertaken on them since Stuart Rigold’s typology was developed in the late 1970s. This note brings to attention and translates a new reverse legend for his series I/C, encountered on two new pieces recently recorded by the Suffolk Portable Antiquities Scheme.
BNS Research Blog 