325 
_ N.B. The scarcity OF SMALL CHANGE renders it indispensably 
mecessary to desire that the Tenants will bring their Rents as 
nearly as possible.” 
_ Notices similar to this are repeated at intervals to as late as 
1823. 
To an unknown correspondent of the Journal of October 7th, 
1811, thanks are due for an article from which I quote the 
following :—“ The curious phenomenon, occasioned by the state 
of British coinage, deserves to be recorded, and may be of use to 
the future historian, who shall consult our pages. 
A Guinea made of standard Gold, weight 5 dwts 9 
grains, passes by law, for only as ase ely ees 
A ditto, 3 grains lighter, is worth as Bullion oe ne ore 
A Crown piece, made of Sterling Silver, weight 19 
___ dwts 8 grs, passes by law, for only ... ~e en ng 
A Bank Dollar, weighing 2 dwts less, and the Silver 
_ 24d an ounce worse, is current for ... CS ea 
A Half-Crown piece of Sterling Silver, weight 9 ave 
+6 grs, passes by law, for only <3 ep Owe ve 
. Bank Token, weighing 5 grs less, and the 
Silver 2}d an ounce worse, is current for... G:/35Ne 
The lesser Bank Token of 18 pence, weighs 1 dwt 
2 grs less than a Shilling and a Sixpence, and 
the Silver is also worth 24d an ounce less.” 
The need for small change at last became so acute that 
Traders throughout the Kingdom, recognizing their interests 
suffered from the prevailing scarcity, met the difficulty by again 
ssuing Tokens so as “TO FACILITATE TRADE,” and this, the 
h Century issue, was participated in by Bankers and Poor 
w Authorities, and some Gold and large quantities of Silver 
| Copper Tokens were put into circulation, the issues 
tacitly sanctioned, if not officially recognised, by the 
