1828 Minard-II-359 Variety, St. Servatius’s Church Lead Funeral Token

Item #CC-0708 | 1828 Minard-II-359 Variety, St. Servatius’s Church Lead Funeral Token
Mint: Maastricht
Assayer: Unknown, Maastricht Church
Ruler/Period: 1828
Grade: VF35

For details and population on this coin from NGC, click on the serial number here: 2168329-002

Description: Stunning example of this lead token. Redemption counter stamp on reverse/key side. The skull side has a flaw in the die strike causing a scarred eye look, very unique! Also referred to as Begrafenisloodje.

Begrafenisloodje served multiple roles in the Low Countries during the 16th-19th centuries, acting as payment for gravediggers, pallbearers, or other funerary expenses, or acting as a commemorative for the funeral of the deceased—either to those attending the ceremonies or to the respective church in remembrance of the departed. Where they were utilized to indicate payment, a punch was generally placed upon one or both sides to act as a form of “cancellation” for the services rendered and payment received.