Lead Token (Birds, Powell Type 18) ND (1670-1820) front Lead Token (Birds, Powell Type 18) ND (1670-1820) back
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Lead Token Birds, Powell Type 18 ND

 
Lead 6.46 g 22.01 mm
Description
Location
United Kingdom (United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies)
Type
Trade tokens › Work encampment, mine and wage tokens
Years
1670-1820
Currency
United Kingdom - Farm and Hop Tokens
Composition
Lead
Weight
6.46 g
Diameter
22.01 mm
Thickness
2.43 mm
Shape
Round (irregular)
Demonetized
Yes
Updated
2024-11-14
References
Numista
N#83255
Rarity index
95%

Reverse

Blank.

Edge

Plain

Comment

Powell's classification (http://www.mernick.org.uk/lnc/dpowell/leadtokens.htm):
Birds (Type 18). Any birds except national symbols, e.g. the eagle covered by type 25. Moved out of its position in the Alvey sequence so that the three wildlife categories could be contiguous.

The cultivation of hops was a popular industry, first because it was very profitable, and secondly because it employed labour for almost all the year, " Planting, Soiling, Houghing, Poling, Tying and Picking."
All the picking had to be done in a few weeks, many thousands of pickers were required. These came chiefly from London, for “a holiday with work and pay," and were known as" furiners."
Payment for picking was arranged through the medium of tallies and hop-tokens. These showed the number of bushels picked, and were the basis of payment after the rate was agreed upon, which sometimes took several days.