Dorset 17th century Token, Blandford Forum, Nicholas Gouldesborough 1663

17^th 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 4^th 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 17^th Century tradesmans tokens by the Royal Proclamation of 16^th August 1672.

Provenance:

Ex B. A. Seaby Ltd, with their ticket dating to 1961 for 16 shillings.