The Three Lions

This trade token, worth a farthing, was issued for a business at the sign of the Three Lions, in Sharp's Alley.

Boyne & Williamson (1889) reference London number 2767; Obv inscription: AT.THE.3.LYONS.IN (around field, in Roman capitals) Device = Three lions passant (in field); Rev inscription: SHARPS.ALLEY1657 (around field, in Roman capitals) Device = G.M.F. (triad of initials in Roman capitals, in field).

The exact location of issue for this token is unclear; it may be Sharp's Alley, otherwise Shaft Alley, later Shaft's Court, in Lime Street Ward, in the City of London: Sharp's Alley, in the ward of Bishopsgate Without (now Bishopsgate Ward), in the City of London, or it may be Sharp's Alley, now Charterhouse Street, in Finsbury Middlesx, now London Borough and Camden, and ward of Farringdon Without in the City of London, see also Sharp's Alley and token number 9324, in the Sylloge of Coins of the British Isles, 62, The Norweb Collection: Tokens of the British Isles 1575-1750, Part VIII - Middlesex and Uncertain Pieces: Unknown I.