85 
V. YORK TRADESMEN’S HALFPENNIES 
AND FARTHINGS, YORK TOKENS AND MEDALS. 
(i.) HISTORICAL. 
Owing to the want of small change and to the abeyance of the 
Kingship, traders assumed the royal prerogative of coining and 
issued halfpennies and farthings made of copper or brass (68-69-70). 
From 1665 to 1670 seventy different York tradesmen issued these 
private tokens, of which Drake (1736) illustrates fifty. A music 
master’s halfpenny exhibits a figure of Punchinello. The Govern¬ 
ment of Charles was induced to issue a national copper coinage; 
farthings were put in circulation in 1672, and tokens were at the 
same time suppressed. 
Again, during the reign of George III. the copper coinage was 
deficient and tradesmen’s tokens once more made their appearance. 
In 1796, James Carlisle issued two York halfpennies (75 and 76) 
designed by Wyon, of each of which two hundred impressions 
were struck. Five hundredweights were struck of a York half¬ 
penny (71) sculptured by Dixon. A fine medal was published in 
1796 by Cattle, Harrison and Cattle, of similar design, but of 
superior workmanship, by Thomas Wyon. 1 
Of three “ Minster ” medals, two are mementos of the fire in 
1829, and one of the Great Bell. 
A medal of the York School of Medicine was issued in 1834. 
Another commemorates the visit to York of the Duke and Duchess 
of York in 1890, whilst the latest medal commemorates the 
Pageant of 1909. 
(ii.) TRADESMEN'S HALFPENNIES & FARTHINGS, 
TOKENS, MEDALS. 
1 THO . ALLOTT . IN . THVRSDAY A griffin. 
MARKEYT . IN . YORKE-HIS HALF PENY . l666. 
2 HENERY . ARMISTEAD . OF . THE The Skinners' AmiS. 
CITTY . OF . YORKE . SKINNER HIS HALFPENY. l666. 
3 WILLIAM BARRON HIS HALFPENY. 
in yorke. 1671. A. ..between 3 garbs. The Grocers' Arms. 
G 
1 Boyne. 
