Post-Medieval — Mid 17th century; 1648-1673; 1666
The Lion and Candle
Trade tokens were used as small change at a time when there were few low denomination coins, which made it difficult to make small purchases. They were issued by businesses like pubs and coffee houses. Trade tokens can be used to trace the movement of businesses after the Great Fire of London as their inscriptions include the names of the owners and from where they operated. This token was issued by Ralph Butcher, who was forced to move his business outside Bishopsgate after the fire.
The inscription reads:
Obverse: Ralph.Butcher.1666
Reverse: WITHOVT.BISHOPS.GATE [image of a lion rampant, above a stick of candles]
His previous premises had been at Tower Street. This area had suffered badly during the fire as the authorities were very anxious to keep the fire away from the Tower of London where a huge store of gunpowder was kept. Houses not destroyed in the flames were demolished to create fire breaks.
- Category:
- Post-Medieval
- Object ID:
- 96.66/194
- Object name:
- The Lion and Candle
- Object type:
- Artist/Maker:
- Butcher, Ralph
- Related people:
- —
- Related events:
- Related places:
Bishopsgate without, Bishopsgate Ward, City of London, London [City of London], City of London
- Production date:
- mid 17th century; 1648-1673; 1666
- Material:
- copper alloy
- Measurements/duration:
- DM 17 mm, WT 1.18 g
- Part of:
- —
- On display:
- —
- Record quality:
- 100%
- Part of this object:
- —
- Credit:
- —
- 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.