The Blacksmiths' Arms

William and Elizabeth North issued this trade token, worth a farthing, for their business in Broken Wharf (off Upper Thames Street).

Boyne (1889) reference London number 439; Obv inscription: WILL.AND.ELIZABETH (around field, in Roman capitals) Device = The Blacksmiths' arms (in field); Rev inscription: NORTH.AT.BROKEN.WHARF (around field, in Roman capitals) Device = W.E.N. (triad of initials in Roman capitals, in field).

There is another similar token in the museum collection, 15675. William North a Merchant Taylor and Cordwainer (shoemaker), married Elizabeth Cheyney, 1625, she died 1659, see Percival Boyd, [Inhabitants of London]. Society of Genealogists, MS. 52265. See also token number 6724a and 6724b 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. It is very unusual to find the wife of an issuer named in full on a token, they are more commonly represented by the middle initial in a triad. The arms of the Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths are: Sable a chevron or between three hammers argent handled and crowned (J. Bromley, The Armorial Bearings of the Guilds of London: a record of the heraldry of the surviving companies with historical notes; with...[illustrations] by Heather Child...(London, 1960). Broken Wharf is in Queenhithe Ward, in the City of London.