17th Century Tokens : Dorchester-01 in Dorsetshire

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Click Images to View Coin Details W53: Dorsetshire, Dorchester (Farthing): (1669) O  H D 1669 A DORCHESTER FARTHING H D 1669 R  On a castle of five towers, the Royal Arms, a rose on each of the front towers THE ARMES OF DORCHESTER W54: Dorsetshire, Dorchester (Farthing): (1669) O  H D 1669 A DORCHESTER FARTHING H D 1669 R  On a castle of five towers, the Royal Arms, a rose on each of the front towers THE ARMES OF DORCHESTER Image not available Different die variety than No. 53. W55: Dorsetshire, Dorchester (Farthing): (1669) O  H D 1669 A DORCHESTER FARTHING H D 1669 R  On a castle of five towers, the Royal Arms, a rose on each of the front towers THE ARMES OF DORCHESTER Image not available Different die variety than No. 53 and 54. These two varieties [No. 54 and 55] differ but slightly from No. 53 and from each other; the difference consisting mainly in the thickness and shape of the letters, and in certain details of the towers. W56: Dorsetshire, Dorchester (Farthing): (1669) O  H D 1669 A DORCHESTER FARTHING H D 1669 R  On a castle of five towers, the Royal Arms, a rose on each of the front towers THE ARMES OF DORCHESTER Image not available The final R on the reverse [in DORCHESTER.] is nearly the size as the other letters. On No. 53, 54, and 55 it is not half the size of the letters and is superscript. The figures of the date, too, are more curved, and longer [on No. 56.] W57: Dorsetshire, Dorchester (Farthing): (1669) O  H D 1669 A DORCHESTER FARTHING H D 1669 R  On a castle of five towers, the Royal Arms, a rose on each of the front towers THE ARMES OF DORCHESTER Image not available [D. C. M.] From different and much smaller dies than the preceding. This piece is in the County Museum at Dorchester and is about the size of an ordinary farthing token, only much thicker, whereas No. 53-56 are as large as the halfpennies of private traders. The initials H.D. may be intended, as Boyne says, for Alexander Haviland, who was Mayor of Dorchester in 1669, when the token was issued, as no one with such initials appears in the minutes contained in the municipal archives of the borough at that time; at the same time, I cannot accept such an unusual solution without considerable hesitation. He was elected Mayor on October 4, 1669, and together with J. Haviland, signed the Protestant Address to King Charles II. in 1681. He was also one of the bailiffs of the borough for the years 1665, 1673, and 1691. The order for the token is contained in the following entry in the minutes: "J. Seward maio Feb. ye 5, 1668" (old style) [and seven others]. "It is ordered and desired yt Mr. Jasper Samwayes one of this Company doe speedily procuer Twenty pounds in copper Farthings for ye beniffet of ye pore of this Borough and that ye Towne armes be engraven on one side, and HD on ye other syde, and on ye side where ye Towne Armes are to be ingraven Round, ye armes of Dorchester and on ye other side where HD be, Dorchester Farthing, and under HD ye date of ye Lord."

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