WARWICKSHIRE, Birmingham, Birmingham Workhouse, Two Shillings and Sixpence, 180–, unissued, payable ‘every Wednesday when Eight are brought together’ by Mr Jereh. Wright on behalf of the Overseers (Davis 1224, and pl. X, 12; Davis 19th Century, plate opposite p.147). Extremely fine and extremely rare £80-100

The old Birmingham Workhouse, in Lichfield street, was situated just below the Assize Courts. It was erected in 1733 and further enlarged in 1766 and 1779; it was demolished in 1853. In the 19th century the overseers of the workhouse were responsible for one of the largest issues of tokens between 1811 and 1814, with values from a penny to a shilling. Promissory notes of £5, £1, five shillings and two shillings and sixpence were also issued (Withers, p.75) and, from the dates shown on surviving examples, pre-date any issue of tokens; Davis (19th Century Tokens, p.146) states they were issued in 1808