Trade and Transport Tokens
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Glasgow Museums has a collection of more than 1,700 trade and transport tokens and awards. These date from about 1600 to the present. This collection comprises 231 trade tokens dating from the 17th to 19th century, and about 1,500 transport tokens dating from the 19th to 20th century. These include 426 civic medals, 11 driving licences, 46 safe-driving awards, 67 long-service medals and 25 groups of Glasgow Corporation transport tokens, which contain possibly thousands of one-penny and three-pence tokens. The trade tokens originate from all over Great Britain and Europe, and also from New Zealand, Canada and Jamaica. As well as reflecting the nature of the trade, business or industry that produced them, tokens often bare the names of employers, cities and countries of origin. Some other tokens commemorate national heroes. Tokens are of interest to Scottish history as they are related to national services and reflect the enforcement of national legislation for standards in transport safety and public service provision. Trade and transport tokens were used as a substitute for hard currency. Medals and awards were given to individuals for specific achievements or as proof of competence with particular skills.
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