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March (Cambridgeshire) silver shilling token dated 1811. Obverse: Legend on four lines in centre and around periphery: “MARCH SILVER TOKEN ONE SHILLING * TO FACILITATE TRADE * ISSUED NOVR 1 1811”. Reverse: A hanging fleece or sheep in centre with legend: “* PAYABLE BY MESSRS * S. RATCLIFFE E. ELAM & J. THURBON”. Diagonally (/////) milled edge. Stephen Ratcliffe was a grocer draper and cutler, Edward Elam was a grocer and draper and John Thurbon was a retail brewer, all of the town of March and surrounding area. They initially ordered around 1,000 but were horrified when they realised that there were many more in circulation, possibly a further 400 for which they were liable for redemption as issuers. They hurriedly withdrew them and sent them to London to be melted down and sold for their silver content. Since only one set of dies was used it apperars that the crime was committed by the manufacturer and the extra tokens sold to local traders at a discount. Despite their withdrawal some obviously survived to this day. Nice collectable condition, see photograph. Dalton Cambridgeshire No: 1. Diameter 25mm. (↑↓) VF+. £50.00 e-mail David at d-stuart@d-stuart.demon.co.uk to order. |