Post-Medieval — Mid 17th century; 1648-1673; 1664
The Three Sugar Loaves
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 Ralph Butcher, who had a business on Tower Street.
The inscription reads:
Obverse: RALPH.BVTCHER.1664 [image of three sugar-loaves]
Reverse: IN.TOWER.STREETE R.A.B
After the fire he moved to new premises outside Bishopsgate. The area around the Tower had been destroyed by fire and by demolition works to create fire breaks, protecting the Tower of London and its gunpowder store.
- Category:
- Post-Medieval
- Object ID:
- NN19426
- Object name:
- The Three Sugar Loaves
- Object type:
- Artist/Maker:
- Butcher, Ralph
- Related people:
- Related events:
- Related places:
Tower Street (Great Tower Steet), Tower Ward, City of London, London [City of London], City of London
- Production date:
- mid 17th century; 1648-1673; 1664
- Material:
copper alloy
- Measurements/duration:
- DM 16 mm, WT 0.81 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.