The Turk's Head Coffee House

Halfpenny trade token, issued by William Stonyer. The insciption on the obverse gives the issuer's name and depicts a Turk's head, whilst on the reverse the location of the business is given. Stonyer was the proprietor of a coffee house which was located 'Against the French Church in Threadneedle Street'. Trade tokens were used as small change at a time when low denomination coins were in short supply, making it difficult for customers to make small purchases. They were issued by businesses such as pubs and coffee houses where customers typically made small transactions.