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Beggar's badges

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from Rodel, Harris, Inverness-shire; Kirkwall, Orkney; Skene, Aberdeenshire; Ecclesgreig, Kincardineshire

Beggar's badges
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These four beggar's badges (clockwise from top left) are from Rodel on Harris in Inverness-shire (undated), Kirkwall on Orkney (undated), Skene in Aberdeenshire (dated 1830) and Ecclesgreig in Kincardineshire (dated 1773).

The Rodel and Kirkwall badges depict scenes - the first has a church, a bull's head and the sun and the second, a sailing ship in relief. The Skene and Ecclesgreig badges are inscribed, 'Pauper/Parish of Skene/1830' and 'N 9/Eglsgrig Parish/1773'.

Usually made of lead or pewter, beggars' badges generally bear the name of the parish in which they were issued, and often have a unique number. Sometimes they are engraved with the holder's name.

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