"linear" token

[Saffron]

The ground around here is still saturated but I had a short session yesterday in the sunshine. I very rarely dig iron but am certain that the wet conditions accounted for me digging 3 deep large iron targets that gave no indication of iron, including 2 of the first 3 targets I dug

Only one reasonable find, a lead token. I have found a few "cross and pellets" tokens, but until yesterday never a "linear" (probably not the correct name) one until this one.

Any idea how common they are compared with the more normal "cross and pellets" tokens, and does design give a guide to the date?.

(Sorry about quality of photo, but did not intend to post the item as its not exactly "exciting" but by pure chance somebody had posted another "linear" token on our club FB page so took photo of this one and posted there and here).

Evan

[Easylife]

I think size can be a better indictator of date as there's such a wide variety of designs.

[Oxgirl]

I think size can be a better indictator of date as there's such a wide variety of designs.

Absolutely right. I never realised how much size is important on lead coin identification until recently.

Nice token Evan! It looks old but I have no idea if it is or not but great find!

[Blackadder43]

Good to see you out and aboot fella
No idea on token ID's....infact no ideas on ID's full stop ....but no doubt someone will shine a light on it

[shaggybfc]

I do like a lead token

Very common, and usually presumed to be 18th century, are pieces which just have meaningless linear doodles; perhaps the ordinary man's way of distinguishing pieces which, if issued by minor gentry, would bear a coat of arms. The latter do occur occasionally, but are never very detailed; perhaps they indicate either usage on a country estate, or that the issuer was a merchant and member of a commercial guild.

I found this on the Token society website, so yours could be C18.

[Steve_JT]

Thats nice, like it think I've seen a similar posted somewhere? (or its a senior moment for me )

Regards steve

[Saffron]

I do like a lead token I found this on the Token society website, so yours could be C18.

Very many thanks for that Shaggy, its much appreciated as its the only "linear" one I have found so thought it might be a bit rarer and hoped for something that might aid to dating it.

Like most detectorists I had never thought about how a lead token was made (well why should I?). But the obvious method is that they were made in a mould and the molten lead poured into it, this would account for why the reverse is basically flat. Although probably not obvious in the photo (I must try to get a better one in daylight) this one is not perfectly circular and has a slight flange suggesting that the mould was over filled.

This makes it impossible to get an exact measurement for it. However, as Easylife and Oxgirl said size is important when dating lead tokens and this is should be about 21mm, which would fit in with the 18th century date that the item Shaggy found suggests.

On my club FB page it said "Typically if it’s 17-18nm in diameter it’ll be 16th - 17thC, if larger it’ll be 18th-19C. Tokens usually were the same size as farthings and half pennies in circulation at the time" I had not heard the bit about them being the same size as a farthing (which this would be) and half pennies before, but it would be logical as they were meant to be the equivalent of these coins.

Evan