Covenanters' conventicle tokens

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This set of five Covenanters' conventicle tokens dates from the 17th century. The lead tokens were used in open-air services conducted by ministers who had been forced from their churches. The tokens gave admission to communion.

The token are engraved with the inscriptions 'I am the way', 'I am the vine', 'I am [ye] bred of life', 'Holines to the lord' and 'Give Me Thy Hart' respectively. On each token the inscription is begun on one side and finished on the other.

The design of these tokens marks a new departure in a style in that none of them includes a date, the locality from which they emanated, or the names or initials of the minister who ordered that they be made.

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• Online ID: 000-100-083-015-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  H.1995.610
• Date: 17th century
  17th century
  17th century
  17th century
  17th century
  
• Material: Lead. Inscription: Give / me; thy / hart
  Lead. Inscription: holi / nes to; the lord
  Lead. Inscription: I am / [ye] bred; of / lyfe
  Lead. Inscription: I am; the / vine
  Lead. Inscription: I am; the / way
  Token, covenanters' / token, communion
  Token, covenanters' / token, communion
  Token, covenanters' / token, communion
  Token, covenanters' / token, communion
  Token, covenanters' / token, communion
  
• Dimensions: 16 mm W x 14 mm H
  17 mm W x 15 mm H
  18.5 mm W x 14.5 mm H
  19 mm W x 14 mm H
  20 mm W x 14 mm H
  
• What: Token, covenanters' / token, communion
  Token, covenanters' / token, communion
  Token, covenanters' / token, communion
  Token, covenanters' / token, communion
  Token, covenanters' / token, communion
  
• Subject:
• Who: Bute Collection (Previous owner)
  Bute Collection (Previous owner)
  Bute Collection (Previous owner)
  Bute Collection (Previous owner)
  Bute Collection (Previous owner)
  Stein Collection (Previous owner)
  Stein Collection (Previous owner)
  Stein Collection (Previous owner)
  Stein Collection (Previous owner)
  Stein Collection (Previous owner)
  
• Where: SCOTLAND
  SCOTLAND
  SCOTLAND
  SCOTLAND
  SCOTLAND
  
• Event:
• Description: Rectangular lead covenanters' token or communion token inscribed "Give me thy hart", Scotland, 17th century
  Sub-rectangular lead covenanters' token or communion token inscribed "I am the vine", Scotland, 17th century
  Sub-rectangular lead covenanters' token or communion token inscribed "I am the way", Scotland, 17th century
  Rectangular lead covenanters' token or communion token inscribed "I am [ye] bred of lyfe", Scotland, 17th century
  Rectangular lead covenanters' token or communion token inscribed "holines to the lord", Scotland, 17th century
  
• References:
  • PSAS 1906-7, pp 466 & 604 
  • PSAS 1906-7, pp 466 & 604 
  • PSAS 1906-7, pp 466 & 604 
  • PSAS 1906-7, pp 466 & 604 
  • PSAS 1906-7, pp 466 & 604 
• Translations:
• Related Records: