Description:Octagonal, copper alloy token issued by Zachariah Lightwood of Yoxall, ironmonger. He once owned Old Hall on Main Street, Yoxall, demolished in 1960. The Lightwood family were village apothecaries until 1804
Token coins such as this were issued by businesses and other organisations when official coinage was in short supply. In theory, tokens would circulate only where their issuer was known or trusted, but in practice trade tokens were circulated widely and used in exactly the same way as official coinage. In the 17th century, coining money was supposed to be the exclusive right of the sovereign, but this lapsed with the beheading of Charles I in 1649. Trade tokens soon appeared and continued to be issued until 1672, when Charles II issued official copper coins of his own.
Obverse: 'ZACHARIAH LIGHTWOOD'. Central octagon contains Coat of Arms - ironmongers' Arms.
Reverse: 'OF YOXALL, 1671'. Central octagon contains letters: '*L* / Z*K / *'.
Saw-tooth pattern around edge.