The Bible

Robert Pawley, a book seller and stationer, issued this trade token, worth a half penny, for his business in Chancery Lane, Middlesex.

Boyne & Williamson (1889) reference London number 518; Obv inscription: AT.THE.BIBLE.1666 (around field, in Roman capitals) Device = A book with clasps (in field); Rev inscription: IN.CHANCERY.LANE (around field, in Roman capitals) Device = R.P (in field, in Roman capitals).

The issuer of this trade token can be traced, as they are named in an advertisement appealing for information on missing horses that appeared in Mercurius Publicus, No.11, March 12-19, 1662, p. 177, cited in Boyne, 1889, p. 555. Their occupation is known from another advertisement which appeared in Mercurius Publicus, No.16, April 16-23, 1663, p.249, cited in Boyne 1889, p.556. See also token number 8015 in the Sylloge of Coins of the British Isles, 62, The Norweb Collection: Tokens of the British Isles 1575-1750, Part VIII - Middlesex and Uncertain Pieces. Chancery Lane lies within the London boroughs of Camden, City of Westminster and City of London, in the ward of Farringdon Without, having formerly lain across, Holborn and Westminster in Middlesex, and the ward of Farringdon Without, in the City of London.