In the mid 1660s, there was a nationwide shortage of small change and so local tradespeople and shopkeepers began to issue their own tokens. These were made from copper, and only redeemable at their place of business. These tokens only lasted until 1672, when an Act of Parliament declared them illegal.
Very few of these tokens have survived to the present day, their rarity being reflected in the value of £100s now paid among serious collectors.
There are 13 known examples from Nantwich and the Museum is fortunate to now have on loan 11 of these. Local collector John Debens has very kindly allowed the Museum to display them for a year. Also in the display case are two further local tokens, one from Sandbach and the other from Congleton.
A booklet giving further information about these tokens (and other later Nantwich Tokens) has been written by Andrew Lamberton and is on sale in the Museum shop and is available on line here.
