The Wardrobe

This trade token, worth a farthing, was issued at a workhouse, selling hemp and flax, at The Wardrobe.

Boyne & Williamson (1889) reference London number 3357; Obv inscription: AT.THE.WARDROBE.IS (around field, in Roman capitals) Device = W.H / HEMP (in two lines of Roman capitals, in field); Rev inscription: WORKE.FOR.THE.POOR (around field, in Roman capitals) Device = W.H / FLAX / 1653 / R (in four lines of Roman capitals, in field).

This workhouse token issuer is likely to be William Haslop, a Clerk to the Corporation of the Poor, see token number 7783 in the Sylloge of Coins of the British Isles, 59, The Norweb Collection: Tokens of the British Isles 1575-1750, Part VII - City of London. The 'R' on the reverse is the mark of the producer, David Ramage. Tower Royal was given by Edward III for a wardrobe to Queen Phillipa, in 1331, the area lies in Cordwainer Ward and Vintry Ward, in the City of London.