Tickets and Passes, Important British Trade Tokens, Coin Weights

Ranelagh House, Chelsea, 1745, a uniface copper Pass, RANELAGH HOUSE divided by annulet, counterstamped above with a dog, 33mm (D & W 80/251; MG 665). Fine, scarce (£40-60)

Ranelagh House was built about 1690 on the east side of Chelsea Hospital for Richard, Viscount Ranelagh. In 1733 the House was taken over by the management of the Drury Lane Theatre, and the house and gardens opened to the public in 1742, at a basic admission of a shilling. Concerts, masquerades, dancing and miscellaneous theatrical events were held there over the next 60 years. The House was demolished in 1805