St. Albans Trade Token

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Trade Token, issued in 1666 by Henry Gladman, proprietor of the George Inn, St. Albans.

St. Albans Trade Token

This is a trade token issued in 1666 by Henry Gladman who was the proprietor of the George Inn in St. Albans. The image in the centre of the token shows St George, the patron saint of England, slaying the dragon. This represents the name of the in where it was issued.
During the 17th century there was a shortage of small denomination coins. To overcome this some businesses produced their own trade tokens which could be used like coins. In almost every town and most large villages in England such tokens were issued, until in 1672 when the Royal Mint began to issue copper coinage.