I have never seen this token before and I have no referances on this item. What is the value and year? What was it used for? Thanks Tom
http://www.tokensociety.org.uk/topics/market.shtml Im not possitive but I think the 6D stands for 6 pence and they seem to go for an average of 7 pounds...so thats what...about 14 - 15.00
Tom,that token is a 6d. (Sixpence) canteen token that was issued by a Masonic Lodge in Billingsgate,England. Aidan.
Aidan and twiggs thankyou very much!! I really appreciate it. I didn't know if it was american or foriegn. The masons are worldwide are they not? I thought they were but wasn't sure. Aidan I really appreciate all your help with the UK items I have posted here in the past as well.
Tom,the name 'Old Bailey' is an area of London.In fact,the law courts are known as the Old Bailey.I'm not sure if the name is applied to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council though. The Masons are very active in most countries.They were very powerful in Liberia until around 10 years ago when the Masons were proscribed. Aidan.
Aidan the Baily is not a area of London but It is named after the street in which it is located which itself follows the line of the original fortified wall, or "bailey", of the City. The location of the courthouse close to Newgate prison allowed prisoners to be conveniently brought to the courtroom for their trials. More generally, its position between the City of London and Westminster meant it was a suitable location for trials involving people from all over the metropolis, north of the river Thames. The Old Bailey, this is the probably the most famous criminal court in the world, and has been London's principal criminal court for centuries. It hears cases remitted to it from all over England and Wales as well as the Greater London area. If you asked to be directed there you would end up at a rather impossing building rather than shall we say Soho or Knightsbridge, they are areas Billingsgate is a very famouse Fish Market here in London, A potted History LOL The Market rights of the City of London were based on a charter granted by Edward III in 1327 which prohibited the setting up of rival markets within 6.6 miles of the City, (six and two thirds miles being the distance a person could be expected to walk to market, sell his produce and return in a day). In 1400 King Henry 1V granted to the citizens the right, by charter, to collect tolls and customs at Billingsgate, Cheap and Smithfield. Since then, the Billingsgate Market Acts of 1846 and 1871 and the City of London (Various Powers) Acts of 1973, 1979, 1987 and 1990, have confirmed the City's role as the Market Authority and laid down its responsibilities and rights, including the making of regulations, byelaws and the collection of tolls, rents and other charges. Billingsgate was known as Blynesgate and Byllynsgate before the name settled into its present form. The origin of the name is unclear and could refer to a watergate at the south side of the City where goods were landed-perhaps owned by a man named 'Biling'-or it may have originated with Belin (400BC) an ancient King of the period. Billingsgate was originally a general market for corn, coal, iron, wine, salt, pottery, fish and miscellaneous goods and does not seem to have become associated exclusively with the fish trade until the sixteenth century. In 1699 an Act of Parliament was passed making it "a free and open market for all sorts of fish whatsoever". The only exception to this was the sale of eels which was restricted to Dutch fishermen whose boats were moored in the Thames. This was because they had helped feed the people of London during the Great Fire. Until the mid-nineteenth century, fish and seafood were sold from stalls and sheds around the 'hythe' or dock at Billingsgate. As the amount of fish handled increased, a purpose-built market became essential. In 1850 the first Billingsgate Market building was constructed on Lower Thames Street but it proved to be inadequate and was demolished in 1873 to make way for the building which still stands in Lower Thames Street today. This was designed by the City Architect, Sir Horace Jones and built by John Mowlem. It was opened in 1876. It is now a listed building. :kewl:
