What are English Pickers Tokens?

coinguy89

The seller described them as "1700's Pickers Tokens from England." He said he didn't know anything else about them and in a large lot he acquired they were included. He couldn't find any information on them so figured he'd start them at $0.99. Apparently I was the only one who noticed them. The Lincoln cent is in the photo to show the relative size of the tokens. Any info or help is well appreciated.

coachleonard

old lead tokens of England are a pretty fascinating and very under-studied branch of British numismatics. England lead tokens go back to medieval times where crude lead tokens with simple designs (crude birds, crosses, pellets, floral designs) were issued-- they could be used to buy goods from certain merchants and they were also used in the church. The lead tokens got bigger around the 1500's (some are thick and half dollar sized) but most from medieval times through the 1700's were nickel to quarter size. By the 1700's (at least according to the little that i've read), there were not only lead tavern, theatre and church tokens, but lead tokens issued to pay farm laborers, and i guess that's what you have.

coinguy89

Thanks coachleonard! I was actually quite excited to recieve them.