Beggar's badge

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This lead alloy communion token was used as a beggar's badge in the parish of Kilmallie by Fort William. It dates from the early 19th century.

The square badge is inscribed with the letter 'F'. There is a perforation near the centre.

The largest parish in Scotland, Kilmallie covers nearly 450 square miles of very mountainous country. Fort William is at its centre but the parish church is at Corpeth. In 1801, the population of Kilmallie was 4500 rising to 5500 in 1831.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-002-204-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  H.KJA 68
• Date: Early 19th century
  
• Material: Badge, beggar's
  
• Dimensions: 16 mm L x 16 mm W
  
• What: Badge, beggar's
  
• Subject: Badges and insignia (NMAS Classification)
  
• Who: Brook (Owner)
  
• Where: Scotland, Argyll, Kilmallie
  Scotland, Inverness-shire, Fort William
  
• Event:
• Description: Perforated communion token used as a beggar's badge, from Kilmallie, Fort William
  
• References:
  • Brook, A.J.S Proceedings of the Society of Antiquities of Scotland 21 (1886-7), pp 169-179 
• Translations:
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