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17th-Century Farthing Trade Tokens
Middlesex
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London having been created by a recent Act a separate county, the tokens of Middlesex are reduced by the whole of those issued
in the new County of London
The tokens of Middlesex are, however, numerous, and the Editor had every hope of making them a series of pecuiar interest from the presence of numerous notes on the issuers. A series of fatalities has, however, befallen the bulk of the notes. The originals of some were passed on for correction to a brother collector who, in a change of residence, entirely lost sight of them, and others in the possession of another helper were accidently committed to the flames. Owing to the fact that many of these notes had been collected from odd sources abroad many years ago, it was impossible to replace them, and the Editor is therefore obliged, with much regret, to present the county of Middlesex corrected up as closely as possible, but containing very few notes as to issuers. It has too frequently happened in relation to Middlesex that the absorbing interest of London has prevented much attention being given to those portions of the county which were not considered portions of the Metropolis. Up to the present time [1891] no collector has been found who will systematically investigate the history of many of the Middlesex tokens, and a fair field is open full of many choice opportunities to a zealous investigator of archaeological lore. To Mr. H. S. Gill, J.P., of Tiverton; Mr. Gerard E. Hodgkin, of Richmond, and Mr. Luther Clements, of Peckham, the Editor is indebted for aid in compiling the county ist, and up to the discoveries of the present date it is believed it will be found accurate and complete. Several places issuing tokens are added to those mentioned by Boyne, including Finchley, Heston, Knightsbridge, Newington Green, Turnham Green, and Walham Green. Of new tokens and varieties eighty-two have been added to Boyne's list, raising the aggregate from 179 to 261. There are no town pieces amongst the number, and there is but one penny token issued at Stoke Newington. Eight of the otkens are of unusual shapes; one issued at Acton is octagonal, and the Knightsbridge one is the same shape. Two issued at Hampton Court are heart-shaped, and also one Hoxton token and one Mimms token are of this picturesque shape. One Hampton token is square, and another Hoxton token is diamond-shaped. The series embraces two issues of the greatest possible rarity. The token of the Toy at Hampton Court is the rara avis of all collectors, while Mr. Hodgkin's specimen of the Chelsea College token is believed to be unique. Many of the inns which issued their tokens are still in existence, amongst which may be mentioned the Gate House, Angel, and Red Lion, at Highgate; the Mother Red Cap, at Holloway; the White Lion, Islington; the World's End, Shadwell, and others. The very rare pattern piece issued in 1644 in the city of London is retained in the list, although not strictly belonging to the series, but it is a piece of unusual beauty and peculiar interest.
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