102024 | NETHERLANDS. Maastricht. St. Servatius's Church lead Funeral Token.

102024  |  NETHERLANDS. Maastricht. Chapter of St. Servatius's Church lead Funeral Token (Begrafenisloodje). Dated 1828. Receipt for funeral expenses or as a funeral commemorative (28mm, 12.74 g, 12h).

 

Skull and crossbones / ECCLESIÆ STI SERVATII, upright key. Edge: Some roughness, otherwise plain.

 

Cf. Minard p. 196, 359 (cancellation punch on the reverse). Fine. Fairly well worn and some scattered marks, but still rather clear on the obverse. A very rare and engaging type.

 

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.

 

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