17th Century Token, Dorset, Lyme Regis, Town issue, 1669, arms of Lyme Regis within beaded circle, same legend surrounding both sides, cinquefoil at top, *THE. ARMES. OF. LYME. RS, rev. L * R at centre, cinquefoil between letters, date below, beaded circle surrounding, weight 2.13g (Boyne 55; BW 91-94). Toned a little uneven around rim, about very fine.
We note there are three engravings of Lyme Regis tokens in the 1856 edition of George Robert's "Social History of the Southern Counties" p.203-204 which goes on to say that the Corporation of Lyme ordered a barrel of town Farthings in 1669, fourteen years after Amyell Hart has issued the first token of the town dated 1655, and went on to order a second barrel six months later. Both barrels cost £45/8/3d and that a profit of £8 had been accrued in the Mayor's accounts.
Provenance:
Ex B. A. Seaby Ltd, with ticket dating from 1968 priced at 10/6d.