Date: 1679

Description:

Country:

• Ireland

Category:

• Charles II
  • Token

Notes:

This token is interesting for a number of reasons:

• It was issued after the last proclamation of Charles II banning the use of such tokens.
  • Prior to this issue, it was not uncommon for city mayors to issue tokens in their own name, though not necessarily while they were serving as mayor, e.g.
    • Philip Matthews, Mayor of Cork, 1658
    • Richard Ormsby, Mayor of Galway, 1671
    • Thomas Cooke, Mayor of Youghal (several times)
    • John Hancock, Mayor of Youghal, 1658
    • Edward Lawndey, Mayor of Youghal, 1671, 1672, and 1679
    • John Merrick, Mayor of Youghal, 1677
    • Edward Perry, Mayor of Youghal, 1674
    • Andrew Wandrik, Mayor of Youghal, 1651
    • Andrew Rickard, Mayor of Waterford, 1658 and 1666
• The last of the Tradesmens’ tokens issued in Ireland were dated 1679, so this issue occurs at the very end of these intriguing ‘de facto‘ but outlawed local currencies.
• Since Dublin Corporation was filled with loyal citizens, it must be considered an “official” token coinage (or at least semi-official) if guaranteed by that organisation
• Why have so few survived?

Further Reading:

• O’Brien Coin Guide: The Proliferation of Unofficial Irish ‘Farthing Tokens’ in the 17th Century
  • Blog Post – Proclamation of Charles II, 1661 (prohibiting the issue and use of brass tokens)
  • Blog Post – Proclamation of Charles II, 1672 (making current Royal Farthings and Halfpennys)
  • Blog Post – Proclamation of Charles II, 1674 (prohibiting tokens of brass with private stamps)

• O’Brien Coin Guide: 17th C Tradesmens’ Tokens of Dublin (78)
  • O’Brien Coin Guide: The Trade Token of Henry Bollardt, Apothecary (Dublin, 1654)