Date: 1797

Description:

These tokens were given to beggars in Dublin and were exchangeable for food at certain places in the City of Dublin. The idea was to stop them from buying alcohol, as the tokens could only be exchanged for food at approved premises. They had no redeemable value; they were not legal tender.

• Dublin, Charity Penny (Food Ticket) 1797
• Diameter: 133.5mm
• Weight: 15.46g
• About Extremely Fine for issue, some lustre
• Rare.

Obverse:

• Horizontal legend in 9 ‘centered’ lines (serifed text)
• TO PREVENT THE ABUSE OF CHARITY IN THE CONSUMPTION OF WHISKEY, THIS IS GIVEN TO THE POOR IN DUBLIN

Reverse:

• Horizontal legend in 9 ‘centered’ lines (serifed text)
• A list of various locations in Dublin where penny is accepted in exchange for food.
  • 168 James’s Gate
  • 44 Lower Kevin Street
  • 55 Upper Coombe
  • 23 Barrack Street

Edge:

• Plain

References:

• DH 1
• Atkins p.332, 1

Category:

• Irish Token Coinage
  • Late 18th Century
    • Dublin
    • Charity

Further Reading

• Dalton, R. & Hamer, S.H., The Provincial Token Coinage of the 18th Century (1915)