Hello all:
There are at least two books that include descriptions of Cornish mine
tokens. I think they include some background on the purpose and minting of
the tokens, which may be of general interest to the list. The listings I
copied below are from the abebooks.com website.
Woody Thompson
Maine Geological Survey
2. Williams, J.A.:
Cornish tokens.
Bradford Barton. nd. Card covers,pp48,vg. Bookseller Inventory #4685
Price: US$ 18.79 (Convert Currency)
Bookseller: Neville Chapman, St. Austell, CON, United Kingdom (Search this
Seller's Books)(Ask Bookseller a Question)
3. Williams J.A.
Cornish Tokens.
Published by D. Bradford Barton no date, Card covers,48pp staple bound.
Staples beginning to rust. B/w illustrations. VG. Bookseller Inventory #2163
Price: US$ 21.60 (Convert Currency)
Bookseller: Anne Jones, Redruth, United Kingdom (Search this Seller's
Books)(Ask Bookseller a Question)
4. Mayne /Williams:
Coins & Tokens of Cornwall
A Constantine Publication 1985. paperback edition , glossy card covers 8vo
92pp illustrated the first publication in which the range of numismatic
items of one county is fully described Fine. Bookseller Inventory #3732
Price: US$ 22.55 (Convert Currency)
Bookseller: Bonython Bookshop, Truro, CON, United Kingdom (Search this
Seller's Books)(Ask Bookseller a Question)
-----Original Message-----
From: Peter Challis [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Sunday, January 25, 2004 7:25 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: 1791 Anglesey Mines Halfpenny" lot number 2219542421
>
> Prior to 1831, mining (and other) companies used to pay wages in
> tokens to be
> used only at the Company shop. The Truck Act of 1831 obliged employers
> to pay
> wages in coin of the realm.
>
> See: http://www.bopcris.ac.uk/bop1833/ref2309.html
>
> Malcolm Henry
>
>
I don't think that is strictly true, in so far as the token coinage was
an attempt to address a severe shortage of coins of the realm,
especially the low denomination coins, i.e. copper rather than silver.
Tokens were, by and large, acceptable means of exchange outside of
company shops.
Peter Challis
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