Date: c. 1650-80

Edmond Kearney’s Penny Token (Cashel, Co Tipperary)

Description:

Edmond Kearney’s Penny Token (Cashel, Co Tipperary)

• Weight 2.11g
• Williamson 145
• Scarce

Obverse:

• Centre design:
  • A plain cross with a pellet in each quarter.
• Outer legend:
  • “EDMOND . KEARNEY”

Reverse:

• Centre design:
  • Initials & denomination “D” over “E . K.” over “1” with four small annulets
•  Legend:
  • “CASHELL . MARCT”

Additional Information:

The issuer was one of the Common Council appointed under the charter above mentioned, and by the same charter two of the same name were appointed Aldermen, and three of the same name Common Councillors, so that evidently the family was of some importance at the time.

The issuer was most probably connected with the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Cashel, David Kearney, who was descended from a family whose name was long honourably connected with Cashel, and who was born in 1568. It is probable that from this dignitary the crozier which belonged to St. Patrick came into possession of the Kearney family, in whose hands the precious relic remained until handed over to the late Most Rev. Dr. Stattery, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Cashel; and it now constitutes a part of the crozier in the possession of the present Archbishop.

• The relic, the authenticity of which can be proved by legal evidence, conferred upon the family of its possessors the proud title of “Kearney Crux.”
• Monuments to various members of the family in Cashel attest to the importance of its status in the seventeenth century.

Further Reading:

• O’Brien Coin Guide: The Proliferation of Unofficial Irish ‘Farthing Tokens’ in the 17th Century
• Charles II
  • Blog Post – Proclamation of Charles II, 1661 (prohibiting the issue and use of brass of 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)