Post-Medieval — Mid 17th century; 1648-1673; 1652
The Death's Head
This trade token, worth a farthing, was issued at the sign of the Death's Head in Distaff Lane.
Boyne & Williamson (1889) reference London number 832; Obv inscription: AT.THE.DEATHES.HEAD (around field, in Roman capitals) Device = A skull (in field); Rev inscription: IN.DISTAF.LANE.1652 (around field, in Roman capitals) Device = R.D.M. (triad of initials in Roman capitals, in field).
The depiction of a death's head (skull) was a sign commonly used by apothecaries. See also token number 6863 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. Distaff Lane lies off Cannon Street, in Bread Street Ward, in the City of London.
- Category:
- Post-Medieval
- Object ID:
- NN17161
- Object name:
- The Death's Head
- Object type:
- Artist/Maker:
- R.M.
- Related people:
- Related events:
- Related places:
Distaff Lane, Bread Street Ward, City of London, London [City of London], City of London
- Production date:
- mid 17th century; 1648-1673; 1652
- Material:
copper alloy
- Measurements/duration:
- DM 16 mm, WT 1.13 g
- Part of:
- —
- On display:
- —
- Record quality:
- 80%
- 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.