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Dorset 17th century Token, Blandford Forum, Nicholas Gouldesborough 1663
17th Century Token, Dorset, Blandford Forum, Nicholas Gouldesborough, Farthing, 1663, date across centre, star with pierced cinquefoil either side above and below, all within a toothed inner circle, legend surrounding, *NICHO: GOVLDESBVRGH, rev. N*G at centre with pierced cinquefoil between, star with pierced cinquefoil either side above and below, all within a toothed inner circle, legend surrounding, *IN. BLANDFORD., weight 1.13g (Boyne 14; BW.16). Toned a bold to good very fine and pleasing.
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.
Provenance:
Ex B. A. Seaby Ltd, with their ticket dating to 1961 for 16 shillings.