RH & Sons Hovenden Barber Token for 3 Shillings & Sixpence

[Pierre_Henri 117]

Not to everyone's taste, but here we go ...

According to Herns’ Handbook on Southern African Tokens, these “barber checks” were used in the olden days (pre-1961) by barbers in denominations of a 2-penny up to 3 shillings & sixpence (3/6-)

Some of these tokens are found with counter-stamped numbers which were probably done to indicate the barber’s chair the person was sitting on in the barber shop.

The lower denominations like the 2 and 3 pennies were probably used as small change, but what on earth could have cost 3 shillings & sixpence (3/6-) for a single visit to the local barber then?

My father once told me that a haircut cost (only) 6 pence in the old days, so an amount 7 times that must have been an enormous outlay for the client visiting his local barber shop then?

Maybe the London Company striking / issuing these tokens also sold them to other companies not in the barber business for other purposes?

 

[GROOVIE COINS 20]

Perhaps one of these tokens were valid for a time period? 6months perhaps?

I just thumb sucking at this point...