Robert Ewin issued this trade token, worth a half penny, for his business, a cake house, in New Cheapside, Moorfields.
Boyne & Williamson (1889) reference London number 1981; Obv inscription: ROB.EWIN.A.CAKE.HOVSE (around field, in Roman capitals) Device = HIS / HALF / PENY (in three lines of Roman capitals, in field); Rev inscription: IN.NEW.CHEAP.SIDE (around field, in Roman capitals) Device = The Prince of Wales feathers (in field).
See also token number 7948 in the Sylloge of Coins of the British Isles, 62, The Norweb Collection: Tokens of the British Isles 1575-1750, Part VIII - Middlesex and Uncertain Pieces. The Moorfields were the last open pieces of land in the City of London. After the Great Fire of London refugees from the Fire set up homes here. Though intended to be temporary it is not known how many people went on to establish permanent premises here.
