Post-Medieval — Mid 17th century; 1648-1673; 1648-1666
The Lion and Still
Trade tokens were used as small change at a time when there were few low denomination coins, which made it difficult to make small purchases. They were issued by businesses like pubs and coffee houses. Trade tokens can be used to trace the movement of businesses after the Great Fire of London as their inscriptions include the names of the owners and from where they operated. This token was issued by John Eldridge in Billingsgate who was forced to move out to Drury Lane after the fire.
The inscription reads:
Obverse: Iohn.Eldridge.at.Billings.Gate
Reverse: HIS.HALF.PENY [image of a rampant lion and a still]
Billingsgate, by the Thames, was burnt down on the second day of the Great Fire. The area was full of warehouses containing combustible materials. Though the fire was extremely serious, John must have had time to escape.
- Category:
- Post-Medieval
- Object ID:
- 96.66/158
- Object name:
- The Lion and Still
- Object type:
- Artist/Maker:
- Eldridge, John
- Related people:
- Related events:
- Related places:
Billingsgate, Billingsgate Ward, City of London, London [City of London], City of London
- Production date:
- mid 17th century; 1648-1673; 1648-1666
- Material:
copper alloy
- Measurements/duration:
- DM 21 mm, WT 2.36 g
- Part of:
- —
- On display:
- —
- Record quality:
- 100%
- Part of this object:
- —
- Owner Status & Credit:
Permanent collection
- Copyright holder:
digital image © London Museum
- Image credit:
- —
- Creative commons usage:
- —
- License this image:
To license this image for commercial use, please contact the London Museum Picture Library.