Sale: CNG 63, Lot: 1953. Estimate $250.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 21 May 2003.  Sold For $280. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Henry III to Edward I. Circa 1250-1307. Pewter Tavern Token (0.79 gm). Bird (pelican?) left, head turned back to gaze at cross / Voided cross with checkered fields. Mitchiner-Skinner Series D, 45. EF for type. Rare this nice. ($250)

The pelican was a medieval symbol of piety and charity. These tokens were apparently intended for the use of pilgrims visiting religious shrines around England. They would have been provided by the church to allow the poorest pilgrim to purchase lodging and food at the meanest establishment, where the smallest denomination of coin, the silver penny, would have been too much.