Malta, Eastern Telegraph Co. Ltd., Staff tokens for use in the company Mess/canteen (5), all uniface, obv. E.T.C. MESS around 1/2d within an inner circle; similar but 1d; similar but 2d; similar but 3d; similar but 4d, brass, 23mm (Lyall 1021 to 1025) [5]. Generally fine, 3d pierced near the edge £30-£50

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, World Tokens, the Property of a North Country Collector.

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Provenance: Various sourced in Malta between 1988 and 2002

The first submarine cable telegraph in the Mediterranean was installed between Malta and Alexandria in 1868 and operated by the Malta Alexandria Co. The Eastern Telegraph Co. Ltd. was formed from combining the Malta Alexandria Co. and the Mediterranean Extension Telegraph Co. in 1883. The company operated 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and so the staff had a company mess where these tokens were used. The tokens were used until 1928 when the company became Cables & Wireless Ltd.