Post-Medieval — Mid 17th century; 1648-1673; 1666
The Turk's Head
Richard Kemp, a coffee house proprietor, issued this trade token, worth a half penny, for his business in St Bartholomew Close (Batholomew Close, Smithfield). The depiction of a Turk's head is a reference to the Turkish coffee sold at the premises.
Boyne & Williamson (1889) reference London number 129; Obv inscription: RICHARD.KEMPE.1666 (around field, in Roman capitals) Device = A Turk's head between R.K (in field, initials in Roman capitals); Rev inscription: IN.S.BARTHOLOMEW.CLOSE (around field, in Roman capitals) Device = HIS / HALFE / PENNY (in three lines of Roman capitals, in field).
See also Lillywhite's London Coffee Houses No. 666 and No. 1400, and token number 6521 in the Sylloge of Coins of the British Isles, 59, The Norweb Collection: Tokens of the British Isles 1575-1750, Part VII - City of London. St Bartholomew Close lies in the ward of Farringdon Without in the City of London.
- Category:
- Post-Medieval
- Object ID:
- NN16457
- Object name:
- The Turk's Head
- Object type:
- Artist/Maker:
- Kempe, Richard
- Related people:
- Related events:
- Related places:
St Barthomolew Close (Bartholomew Close), Smithfield, ward of Farringdon Without, City of London, London [City of London], City of London
- Production date:
- mid 17th century; 1648-1673; 1666
- Material:
copper alloy
- Measurements/duration:
- DM 21 mm, WT 2.35 g
- Part of:
- —
- On display:
- —
- Record quality:
- 80%
- Part of this object:
- —
- Owner Status & Credit:
Permanent collection
- Copyright holder:
digital image © London Museum
- Image credit:
- —
- Creative commons usage:
- —
- License this image:
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