The Collection of 17th Century Tokens of Cornwall formed by Mac McCarthy

Falmouth, Michell Russell, Farthing, 0.67g/6h (N 534; BW. 11). Poor but legends clear £30-£40

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Collection of 17th Century Tokens of Cornwall formed by Mac McCarthy.

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Collection

E. Bell Collection, Maxwells Auction (Hazel Grove), 4 April 2012, lot 257; bt N.A. Clark.

Michael Russell was assessed as worth £30 in 1660 and paid a poll tax of 12 shillings. He was one of the aldermen listed in the charter of 1661 when Falmouth was made a borough, and was assessed for 9 hearths “but 5 of them now void” in the Hearth Tax returns for 1664. The token bears the arms assigned to the Russell family of Falmouth