Æ farthing token, 1653. Diameter 16.2mm.  * IAMES · COSTON around, * C * above I (heart) E in centre.   R. * OF · DEALL · 1653  around, * C * above I (heart) E in centre.   BW 148; Norweb —.  Six-pointed stars at sides of C.  Fair

Ex Robert Thompson, bought J G Scott.

This is the earliest dated Deal token. It has a heart on each side between the initial letters of his and his wife's names, to show they had but one heart between them.

Pigot’s Directory of 1826/7 for Kent has:-  DEAL is a corporation and sea-port town, 74 miles from London nine from Dover, 13 from Ramsgate, and six from Sandwich. It is situated immediately opposite to that road to maritime and commercial men, by the name of ‘Downs’.  Five hundred vessels at one time have been known to ride at anchor at this place, and ships so circumstanced receive various supplies from the town of Deal. Its inhabitants are chiefly engaged in maritime pursuits, and particularly famous for making boats, and furnishing the most adventurous and skilful pilots that this island can produce. Those sands, known by the name of “Goodwin,” which have often proved so fatal to shipping, run parallel with the shore of Deal, at about a league distance are discernable at low water, with the surf breaking over them. The town is principally formed of three streets, Beach, Middle, and Lower street; which run parallel with the sea from the north to the south ends of the town. At the south end stands Deal castle and the barracks, and at the north end Sandown castle, each of which are fine buildings. The town is clean, owing to the establishment of peace, presents not that scene of bustle and welfare that characterized it in times of warfare.

The population in 1821 was 6,801.

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