Obv: Toothed/beaded circle, shield within containing ship issuing right from castle.
Rev: Toothed/beaded circle, C.B within.
Flan: 23.4mm x 21.6mm. Weight: 2.4 grams.
M. Dickinson 22.

These tokens are the true forerunners of the unauthorized seventeenth-century series.

January 1578, Privy Council. Warrant authorities Bristol issue its own farthing tokens for circulation within the city and for ten miles around it. Moneyer; Edward Evenet, goldsmith. Between 1578 and 1583 86,400 square or diamond-shaped copper or bronze farthings issued. Other issues at intervals through Elizabeth's reign. After each issue Evenet required to return the dies to the Mayor. May 12th 1594 Privy Council ordered Mayor and Aldermen to call in unauthorized issues.
March 21st 1587, butcher Chris Gallway fined £5 for counterfeiting copper tokens.

Sold Oct 2015