Post-Medieval — Mid 17th century; 1648-1673; 1648-1666
The Turk's Head Coffee House
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 Robert Hayes, who owned a coffee house called the Turk's Head in Pannier Ally near St Paul's Cathedral. This area burnt down on Tuesday 4 September 1666, the third day of the fire. After the fire Robert re-opened the coffee house in the Barbican (see his Barbican token, 96.66/120).
The inscription reads:
Obverse: ROBERT.HAYES.AT.YE.COFFE [image of a Turk's head]
Reverse: HOVSE.IN.PANIER.ALLEY HIS HALF PENY
- Category:
- Post-Medieval
- Object ID:
- 96.66/880
- Object name:
- The Turk's Head Coffee House
- Object type:
- Artist/Maker:
- Hayes, Robert
- Related people:
- Related events:
- Related places:
Panyer Alley, ward of Farringdon Within, 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 20 mm, WT 1.54 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.