England's royal coat of arms, 1613 
HONI SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE   
❧ By the King.  
❧ A Proclamation for Farthing Tokens.  
WHereas there hath been in times past some toleration in this our realm, of Tokens of led commonly known by the name of Farthing Tokens, to pass between Vintners, Tapsters, Chaundlers, Bakers, and other the like tradesman, and their Customers, whereby such small portions, and quantities of things vendible, as the necessity, and use specially of the poorer sort of people, doth oftentimes require, may be conveniently bought, and sold without enforcing men to buy more ware then will serve for their use and occasions: Forasmuch therefore as the use of Farthing Tokens hath in itself a good end, tending to parsimony, and to the avoiding of wast in petty contracts, and penny worths; In which respect it cannot be but a great comfort to the poorer sort of people; And yet nevertheless, the maner of issuing and use of these Tokens, as it passeth now onely between Customers, doth neither that good to the public, which may by a more general, and indifferent use and passage of them be effected; And besides, even amongst those particulars between whom they pass, is more subject to counterfeiting, loss, and deceit: Because sometimes they are refused as doubtful things, and sometimes by the death or remove of those that give them, are lost, and discredited; The use, and passage of them being likewise some derogation to Our prerogative royal, if it be permitted, That any thing whatsoever currant, or not currant, should be made a Measure of Buying and Selling in any maner of similitude to the use of Our Moneys: We haue thought good( to the end there may be the greater use, and the less abuse in the passing of Farthing Tokens) not to suffer any longer such inconvenient, and licentious use of them, but to give means to Our Subiects to continue the good, which is in the use of them, with such directions, and cautions, as may restrain and avoid the abuse; And therefore haue given power and authority to Our trusty, and right well-beloved John Lord Harington Baron of Exton, and to his Executours, administrators, Deputies, and assigns, by Our Letters Patents in that behalf granted, to make, or cause to be made such a competent quantity of Farthing Tokens of Copper, as may be conveniently issued amongst Our loving Subiects within Our realms of England, and Ireland, and Our Dominion of Wales, during the term in Our Letters Patents mentioned: Not intending nevertheless thereby to make them moneys, or coin, so that any of Our Subiects should be forced to receive them in payments, otherwise then with their own good liking; but onely to give Our loving Subiects a Licence and means to use them, according to their occasions, and that without any Fee charge or constraint in any wise imposed vpon them.  
And We further will and command, That the said Farthing Tokens shall be made exactly, and artificially of Copper by engines, and instruments, having on the one side two sceptres crossing under one diadem, and on the other side a harp crwoned, with our Title, Iacobus Dei gratia Magnae Britanniae, Franciae,& Hiberniae Rex: with a privy mark to bee set vpon them from time to time, whereby to discern and distinguish them, to be altered according to occasion, for preventing of falsifying and counterfeiting of the same; which Farthing Tokens may pass between man and man for the value of Farthings within our said Realms, and Dominions, with the liking and consent of such our loving Subiects, as shall require or agree to haue, use, or receive the same:  
And therefore We do by these presents as well publish our royal will and pleasure, That such our Farthing Tokens of Copper may pass amongst our Subiects,( as aforesaid) as also straitly prohibit, and forbid all and every person and persons whatsoever, not onely to forbear from, and after the feast of the nativity of S. John Baptist next following the date of this our Proclamation, to use, deliver, or receive any such Leaden Tokens, as haue formerly been tolerated by abuse, but also to make, or counterfeit such Our Farthing Tokens of Copper, or the engines or Instruments whereby they shall be made, or any of them, being made for the making of any Farthing Tokens, or to use, or utter any other Farthing Tokens whatsoever, either made, or counterfeited within Our realms or Dominions, or in the parts beyond the Seas, vpon such pains, Penalties, and Imprisonments, as by the laws and Statutes of this Our realm of England, and Our prerogative royal can, or may be inflicted vpon them for their contempt, and breach of Our Commandement royal in this behalf. And for the better distributing and dispersing of our said Farthing Tokens for the use of Our Subiects, in maner and form before expressed. Wee haue willed and commanded the said Lord Harington,( who hath likewise agreed, and undertaken for him, and his Deputies accordingly, and put in sufficient security unto us to perform the same) to deliver forth the rate of one and twenty shillings in Farthing Tokens, for every twenty shillings in Moneys sterling, which any of our loving Subiects shall give for the same: and likewise for and during the space of one year, until the said Farthing Tokens be grown unto a more general use,& may be well dispersed within our said realms and dominions, to deliver unto any Our loving Subiects, that shall find himself surcharged with more of Our Farthing Tokens then he can conveniently utter for his use and occasions, the sum of twenty shillings in Sterling moneys, for every sum of one and twenty shillings in Farthing Tokens, and after that rate for lesser sums, where any Tradesman shall require the same: Straitly charging and commanding all and singular Maiors, Sheriffes, Constables, Headboroughs, controllers, Customers, Searchers, Waiters, and all other Officers, and Ministers to whom it shall, or may appertain, to bee careful, and diligent in aiding, and assisting the said Lord Harington, his Executors, Administrators, Deputies, and assigns by all lawful, and convenient means, to see the due execution of this our Proclamation; as well in the restraining and suppressing of the said Leaden Tokens formerly used, as in the searching, seizing, and finding out of any counterfeit Farthing Tokens, made within our said realms and Dominions, or any the parts beyond the Seas, or the Engines whereby they were made, vpon pain of Our high displeasure, and such pains and punishments, as by the laws, and Statutes of this Our realm of England, and Our prerogative royal may, or can be inflicted vpon them for their contempt in that behalf.  
given at White-Hall the nineetenth day of May, in the eleventh year of Our reign of Great britain, France, and Ireland.  
God save the King.   

¶ Imprinted at London by Robert Barker, Printer to the Kings most Excellent majesty. ANNO DOM. 1613.