A history of the use of coins, tokens etc in the Frome area together with a review of how businesses operated in the period before World War II. This exhibition will also look at the question of how the economy operated in the era before currency was available to the major part of the population. It will feature displays that deal with such matters as:
- Why there were 240 pennies in the pound until `1971.
- Why the 10p (2 shilling) coin was introduced over 100 years before other “decimal” coinage.
- Why there are so many illegal coins in circulation in the UK.
- Coining and weighing coins.
- The use of tokens locally during the 19th and 20th centuries
- Inflation then and now.
- Commemorative editions of coins.
- Maundy money.
This exhibition will be launched at the Museum at 11am on Sunday 3rd September by the Museum’s Curator of Money and Medals, Dr David Robinson. He will explain something about the various displays and answer your questions. His short Gallery Talk will be repeated at 2pm. Our Vice Chairman Hilary Daniel, who has generously donated many coins and tokens to the Museum, will be present and has a wealth of fascinating knowledge and stories about the exhibits.