Hull's lead trade was substantial enough by the early nineteenth century that several local firms issued their own copper tokens to address the chronic shortage of regal small change — a problem Parliament had largely ignored since the collapse of the Soho Mint's contract coinage. Picard's Lead Works was among the later provincial issuers, striking in 1812 just as the token trade was approaching its legislative end; the Suppression Act of 1817 would render private copper tokens illegal within five years of this piece's minting.
Davis 95 is among the more precisely documented Hull issues in Withers' provincial series.
Hull's lead trade was substantial enough by the early nineteenth century that several local firms issued their own copper tokens to address the chronic shortage of regal small change — a problem Parliament had largely ignored since the collapse of the Soho Mint's contract coinage. Picard's Lead Works was among the later provincial issuers, striking in 1812 just as the token trade was approaching its legislative end; the Suppression Act of 1817 would render private copper tokens illegal within five years of this piece's minting.
Davis 95 is among the more precisely documented Hull issues in Withers' provincial series.