17th Century Token, Dorset, Blandford Forum, Farthing, 1669, issued by the Corporation, legend in six lines both sides, toothed outer border, THE / BVRROVGH / OF. BLAND / FORD. THE / RE. CORPO / RATION, rev. FAR / THING / FOR. THE / VSE. OF. YE / POORE / 1669, weight 2.45g (BW.9). Toned good fine.
Not much is known of the town issuers from this early time as Blandford Forum suffered a great fire on 4th June 1731 so no town or corporation registers survive earlier. There is a surviving memoranda manuscript by a Mrs Farquharson quoted by Hutchins (I 221) which talks of farthings in the town in 1623 - "1623. This year the corporation accounted for farthings belonging to the town"
and if dated correctly must be referring to those copper Farthings of James I issued under patent to John Stanhope the Baron Harrington. Another entry from this manuscript says for 1673 "The corporation farthings was returned in to the value of £2 18s., and placed in the council-house" which would be contemporary with the calling in of 17th Century tradesmans tokens by the Royal Proclamation of 16th August 1672.