Coastguard Wreck Tokens


Coastguard Wreck Tokens Pre and Post 1922.

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Replica Wreck Token pre 1922Replica Wreck Token pre 1922
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Replica Wreck Token-post 1922Replica Wreck Token. post 1922


Coastguard Wreck Tokens

Tokens were made of bronze and were the size of a pre-decimal penny. They were issued to assistants employed at a Wreck Service so that those who had been engaged by the officer in charge could be identified when claiming for their services.

After bronze tokens were selected by the Marine Department of the Board of Trade, 3,000 were delivered, at a cost of £10 on 30th.May 1877. A second order of 1,000 coins were delivered on 16th.August 1883. Confusion arose between the Royal Mint and the Department of Trade as to whether these were badges to be worn by the men and whether therefore they would have to be engraved with the name of the recipient. The reply from the Board was in the first place the badges are not to be worn by the men, but are merely to be given out as vouchers to be exchanged for 2/6d or 5 shillings afterwards. They will not require engraving as they are all to be alike’ The tokens were kept in a bag in the officers house.

All existing tokens were recalled in 1972.


Examples of these can be seen at the Coastguard Museum at Bridlington and the Royal Mint at Llantrisant, Pontyclun.

Reference: Article by Paul Lane, Former Controller, Coastguard in ‘Coastguard’ August 1996.

Replica Coins kindly provided by Captain Brian Smith. Bluewater Training, Inniscarra, Co.Cork.



0 Comments · 20887 Reads · Print  -> Posted by Tony on May 27 2008

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