br=brass, bz=bronze, Cu=copper, Sn=tin, Al=aluminium, Zn=zinc
 
"|" stands for a line break. If this is in the outer legend, it indicates the
lettering is "upside down" with respect to the earlier lettering
"=" indicates the following data is in the field.
 
I have those marked with "*" before the reference in the first column.
Items illustrated without "*" are from other collections.
 
If you have any for sale, please let me know!
If you can supply any missing illustrations, please do so.
 

Most co-ops usually gave the equivalent value of tokens to members when they spent money in the store. If a member spent 5/6 they received 5/6 in tokens. At the end of the financial period, the profits were paid to members according to how much they had spent, e.g. if the "divi" (dividend) was 5d in the pound, members received 5d for every £1 worth of tokens they had received. Tokens didn't have that much value.
Seaby stated that Belfast co-op tokens were bought from the society and used to buy goods from local traders so that members still earned dividend on their spending. If members had to pay face value for the tokens as stated by Seaby, then they were less likely to throw them in a drawer and forget about them. This might explain why Belfast tokens are relatively hard to come by.

Co-op Tokens by Roy Rains, pub 1997, is THE book for co-op collectors.

If you can supply details of any new pieces
or can supply missing rubbings, scans or photos, please do so.

Irish Co-op & Society Tokens

Co ANTRIM
Co Antrim - Belfast Co-Operative Society to top
*AN:B-			BELFAST CO-OPERATIVE | .SOCIETY. = 1 | POUND circ H.SMITH.B
			blank except beaded border
			23mm bz or Cu
AN:B1			4/- circ by G.Y.ILIFFE
			? 26mm bz
AN:B2			3/- oval by G.Y.ILIFFE
			?
			31x22 bz
AN:B2A			3/-by (LEONARD)
			?
*AN:B3			2s/- circ by G.Y.ILIFFE BIRM
			G.Y.ILIFFE BIRM
			19mm bz
*AN:B3A			2s/ by VAUGHTONS
			(VAUGHTONS)
*AN:B3B			2s/ by (LEONARD)
			similar
*AN:B4			1s/- oval by G.Y.ILIFFE . BIRM.
			1s/ LEONARD BHAM
			26x20 br
*AN:B4A			1s/ by VAUGHTONS
			similar
			26x18mm br I won this on eBay from an Irish seller. An empty slit-open envelope was all I received. Don't buy from Ireland! I've since bought another.
*AN:B5			6d oct VAUGHTON'S B'HAM
			similar
			28mm br
*AN:B5A			6d by G.Y.ILIFFE . BIRM
			LEONARD BHAM
*AN:B6			3d oct by VAUGHTONS B'HAM
			VAUGHTON (sic) B'HAM
			25mm br
*AN:B6A			3d by G.Y.ILIFFE.BIRM
			3d by LEONARD BHAM
			23mm br oct.
AN:B7			1d circ (no maker's name)
			similar
			21mm br
*AN:B7A			1d oct (no maker's name)
			21mm
*AN:B7B			1d oct by W.LEONARD BHAM
			W.LEONARD BHAM
			22mm
*AN:B8			1/2d circ (no maker's name)
			23mm Zn
*AN:B8a			1/2d circ LEONARD - O of SOCIETY under EO both sides
			similar D far from 1 on one side
			22mm tin?
*AN:B8b			1/2d circ by LEONARD O under O one side
			similar
			22mm tin?
ILIFFE/LEONARD indicates different makers on opp. sides. W.Leonard, Vaughton & G.Y.Iliffe all have BIRM, BHAM or B'HAM after the name. Names in brackets indicate where I am not sure on the exact die ie (LEONARD) might actually be W.LEONARD and (VAUGHTONS) might be VAUGHTON.
Co Antrim - Belfast Co-Op Society Canteen to top
*AN:B9			BELFAST CO-OP SOCIETY Ltd. . = CANTEEN | 1D circ (no maker's name)
			beaded blank
			26mm Al
Belfast Co-op Soc Ltd, 128 Shankill Rd, c1894, later Agnes St and York St. First issued tokens in 1904 and discontinued 1957. These tokens were bought from the society and used to buy goods from local traders. Customers thus earned dividend on their spending.
Co Antrim - Belfast Working Men to top
AN:B10			1/= BELFAST WORKING MEN'S CO-OP
			bracteate
			24mm tin
AN:B10A			1/2 sov BELFAST WORKING MEN'S CO-OP
			bracteate
			18mm br
Co Antrim - Belfast National to top
--			THE NATIONAL CO-OP SOCY.OF BELFAST LIMITED 1/=
			same
			Courtesy Gary Oddie
*AN:B55			THE NATIONAL CO-OP SOCY.OF BELFAST LIMITED 10/=
			22mm bz
A note after AN:B55 stated that the Ulster Museum acquired their example in 1901, but that no Co-op under that name has been traced in the 1892, 1894, 1900, 1905 or subsequent directories. It commented that it might have been an early issue of the Belfast Co-op. B.Seawright informs me that they opened in 1889 and closed (folded) 1891. (& IN77)
Co Antrim - Ulster Co-Op to top
*AN:B68A			ULSTER CO-OP. SOC. LTD = 2/-
			Red Hand of Ulster
			32mm Al
AN:B68			do. but 1/-
			Red Hand of Ulster
			24mm Zn. Image courtesy N. Clarke.
FH:B68C			do. but 3d
			Red Hand of Ulster
			Courtesy F. Heaney.
AN:B69			do. but 1d
			Red Hand of Ulster
			32mm Cu. Image courtesy N. Clarke.
*AN:B70a			do. but 1/2d
			Red Hand of Ulster
			24mm Cu
AN:B70			do.
			do.
			but 26mm Cu
The Ulster Co-op has not been traced. Possibly an earlier name for the Belfast Co-op.
Co Antrim - Ligoniel to top
AN:B81			LIGONIEL CO-OP Soc Ltd 1d
			28mm oct br
*AN:B81v			1d
			same but in Cu
AN:B81A			1/2d do.
			31x22mm oval br (Vorley)
Possibly at 159 Ligoniel Rd after 1905. Dixon in IN77 says they existed only 1889-92
Co Antrim - Dunmurry to top
AN:V9			(1/2d?) DUNMURRY CO-OPERATIVE STORES
			silvered Zn
Based in nearby Suffolk, pre 1921.
Co Antrim - Lisburn to top
AN:V19			LISBURN W.P.CO-OP.SOC * = ONE | POUND | ARDILL LEEDS (all in circle)
			22.5mm br
AN:V20			1/= do.(no Ardill Leeds)
*AN:V21			do. = 6d (in a circle)
			uni
			20mm br
AN:V21B			LISBURN W. P. CO-OP. SOCIETY * = 1d | LIMITED
			blank
*AN:V21A			LISBURN W. P. CO-OP. SOCIETY * = 1/2d | LIMITED
			blank
			26mm br hex (seen listed as oct. - error?)
Lisburn Working People's Co-op Soc, 38 Bridge St c1900, 27 Castle St, 1905+
Co DOWN
Co Down - Banbridge to top
*DN:V2			BANBRIDGE CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY, LIMITED. = blank
			6d
			26mm br
*DN:V3			do.
			3d
			Image courtesy Ian Whyte
*DN:V4			do.
			1d
*DN:V5			do.
			1/2d
The 3 & 6 on the reverse are in a very ornate style. All the same size? 28 Bridge St, from c.1899-1907.
Co Down - Newry & District to top
DN:V9			NEWRY & DISTRICT CO-OP SOC . = 1/- | LIMITED inside circle
			21.5mm silvered zinc
Grocers etc from c1905
Co ARMAGH
Co Armagh - CWS (Tullygoonigan) to top
UPT26			C.W.S. Ltd.
			N.I.
			plastic 12 different colours uni as below
blue pale blue light-blue navy-blue yellow mauve brown purple green black orange pink The NI presumably standing for Northern Ireland. These were used in the canteen at the Society's creamery at Tullygoonigan.
Co Armagh - Portadown to top
FH			PORTADOWN | CO-OPE SOCY LTD = 3 D
			oval
			Courtesy Francis Heaney
Co Armagh - Armagh & District to top
*AR:V4			ARMAGH & DISTRICT | . CO-OPe SOCy Ltd . = 1/-
			similar
*AR:V4V			do. 6d
			similar
*AR:V5			do. 3d
			similar
*AR:V6			do. 1d
			similar
All 25mm, and similar both sides. On the 1/=, the value is in a beaded circle. 76 Scotch St (c1905+) The 3d & 1/= auctioned by Whytes, 1997 were listed ".. COOPE.SOCIETY LTD .." an error or other variety?
Co Armagh - Glenanne to top
*AR:V19v			GLENANNE CO-OPERATIVE | *LIMITED* =.SUPPLY.| 5s/- | ASSOCIATION
			similar
			27mm br
AR:V19			do. 2/6
			27mm br. Courtesy F. Heaney.
AR:V20			do. 1/=
			23mm br Courtesy R. Rains
AR:V21			do. 6d
			25mm br
AR:V22			do. 3d
*AR:V23v			do. 2d
			22.7mm br
AR:V23			GLENARME (sic) (Glenanne) 1d
			similar both sides
			23mm br Courtesy R. Hayes
The last is also for Glenanne! I think that CO-OPERATIVE is hyphenated Loughgilly, nr Market Hill. Grocers & refreshment rooms c1905. Mr Baird?
Co Armagh - Lurgan to top
-			LURGAN | 2/6 | LEONARD BHAM | CO-OPE SOCY LTD
			uniface
			Courtesy eBayer mikeworldcoins
Co Armagh - Keady to top
Seaby KEADY AND DISTRICT (exists? - see AR:V12 note) If they exist, they were perhaps used by Darkley Mills
Co DONEGAL
Co Donegal - Templecrone to top
DL:V1			TEMPLECRONE.CO-OP. Soc.Ltd. = 1/- (in a circle)
			24mm silver plated
DL:V2			do. 6d (exists?)
DL:V3			do. 1d
			br
DL:V3a			do. 1/2d
			[Vorley]
Started c1900 and possibly used until the 1920's.   According to Seaby in Irish Numismatics, all the tokens disappeared after a fire at the store. Apparently they were bought by the £1, £2 or £3 worth & used in the store against goods purchased, and it saved having to give out change, ie they are not discount tokens.
Co DUBLIN
Co Dublin - North Dublin to top
*DB:N1S			NORTH DUBLIN | . CO-OPE SOCY. LTD .= 1/-
			bracteate
			21mm br.
DB:N6D			NORTH DUBLIN CO-OPE SOCY. LTD = 6d
			?mm bract.
			Courtesy Francis Heaney
*DB:N1D			NORTH DUBLIN | . CO-OPE SOCY. LTD .= 1D
			bracteate
			22mm Cu.
*DB:NHD			NORTH DUBLIN | . CO-OPE SOCY. LTD . = 1/2D
			bracteate
			22mm
Co Dublin - Dublin Co-Op to top
*DB:COHS			DUBLIN CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY | .LIMITED. = HALF | SOVN | I.C.P. DUB
			uni
			20mm br
DB:C10D			DUBLIN CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY | .LIMITED. = 10 | PENCE | 1863 | I.C.P. DUB
			uni
			20mm tin. Courtesy eBayer global-coins (R. Sleet)
DB:CO2D			DUBLIN CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY | .LIMITED. = 2 | PENCE | 1863 | I.C.P. DUB
			bract.
			22mm. Courtesy Francis Heaney
Co Dublin - Dublin Friendly to top
*DB:FHD			CO-OPERATIVE FRIENDLY SOCIETY | .LIMITED. = -.- | DUBLIN | -.- c/s INCHICORE
			½D in a circle surrounded by a wreath
			see IN18. Tiny makers mark at the bottom of the Rev: looks like Heaton Birm.
Co Dublin - Dublin Independent to top
*DB:I1D			DUBLIN | . IND.COOP.SOC.Ltd . = 1d (in a circle)
			1d | ARDILL LEEDS all in a wreath
DB:I2D			do. but 2d
			22mm Cu [FH & Vorley]
DB:I4B			DUBLIN IND.CO-OP.SOC.LIMITED . = BREAD (curved) | 4
			uni
			25mm pewter Courtesy F. Heaney
DB:I1B			DUBLIN IND.CO-OP.SOC.Ltd . = BREAD (curved) | 1
			uni
			19mm br Courtesy F. Heaney
Co Dublin - Dublin Market to top
DB:ISSL			DUBLIN MARKET & CO-OP SUPPLY Soc Ltd bull's head & ??
			[Vorley]
("& ??" which I cannot read, might indicate another type) The bull's head might be in imitation of the Irish shilling and therefore be a 1/= check
Co Dublin - Dublin Joint Stock to top
DB:JS3D			DUBLIN JOINT STOCK SOCY LTD 3d
			bract. (?)
			[Vorley]
Co LIMERICK
Co Limerick - Limerick City to top
LM:3D			LIMERICK CO-OP.SOC.LIMITED . = 3d (in a circle)
			similar
			br Courtesy I. Whyte
*LM:1D			LIMERICK CO-OP.SOC.LIMITED . = 1d (in a circle)
			similar
			br 22mm
LM:HD			LIMERICK CO-OP.SOC.LIMITED . = ½d (in a circle)
			similar?
			(see IN2-85,IN2-88, IN91) Image courtesy Larry Walsh, Curator Limerick City Museum © 2005
Co MEATH
Co Meath - Moynalty to top
MH:1L			MOYNALTY CO-OPERATIVE STORES CO * = £1 | LIMITED
			£1 in a circle of ornaments (a wreath?)
			22.5mm br Courtesy R. Rains
Co Meath - Dunsany to top
*-			DUNSANY CO-OPERATIVE STORES CO . = £1 | LIMITED
			£1 in wreath
			brass
Roy Rains supplied a photocopy of Dennis G. Vorley's Irish co-op token notes which includes this £1 brass token. Roy later wrote;- ... on checking my 1909 Co-op Congress handbook which lists societies newly registered and dissolved I found DUNSANY Co-op Co. Meath with 89 members dissolved in 1909, I have no idea when it was registered - my details of registrations go back to 1899 until 1918 but for 1914-1916 the details were not published for some reason or other in the Congress handbook.
NOT LOCAL
Not Local - Irish Ind. to top
*-			IRISH | INDUS. CO-OP. | SOCIETY | LIMITED | DUBLIN
			A circle of ??? = £1 | ARDILL LEEDS
*-			IRISH INDUSL CO-OPERE SOCIETY = £1 LIMITED
			same as Obv.
-			IRISH INDUSL CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY = 10s/- LIMITED
			same as Obv.
NL:I2S6			IRISH IND 2/6 br
			[Vorley]
NL:I3D			IRISH IND 3d
			ZnFe brac 26mm [Ad]
NL:IHD			IRISH IND 1/2d br
			[Vorley]
I thought Ind. stood for Independent in Vorley's listing - it means Industrial! The above non-localised pieces are (probably?) from London! 255 West Ferry Road, Isle of Dogs 1876-80
Co. WEXFORD
Co Wexford - Enniscorthy to top
*-			ENNISCORTHY COOP
Badge, 35x28mm, gilt brass/bronze?, lead filled 3 mount marks at 2, 6 and 10 o'clock. This must be the strangest piece in my collection. At first sight it appears to be made of thin brass which has been strengthened by having lead poured over the back. However some of the "brass" is wearing off and revealing what appears to be bronze underneath. Possibly gilt brass or bronze? There is much verdegris. Three "rust" spots on the back suggest it had some form of mount. I have an unusual badge - possibly for a horse blanket. It was not listed in the badges and medal section but in the token section of an English dealer's catalogue as follows; ENNISCORTHY CO-OP (arms on scroll) incuse brass-plated lead. I was slightly disappointed it was not a previously unrecorded co-op token. What is it - a badge or an award? I do not know anything about the Enniscorthy Co-op. Seaby published a fairly comprehensive listing of the Ulster Co-op societies which issued tokens. Has anyone any knowledge of an all Ireland listing? Any information e.g. dates and/or location in Enniscorthy, would be gratefully received. Roy Rains, who published a book on Co-op tokens, has suggested that this is a horse-brass, designed to fit on the harness or blanket. He said he had seen similar items for English breweries. He suggested that the lead was to hold metal wires in place, which could be pushed through the blanket and then folded on the other side to hold it in place. It was safer than pins etc.
NOT LOCAL
Not Local - United Co-Op Baking Society to top
*NL:UNV			UNITED CO-OP | + BAKING SOCy Ltd + = 239 (stamped) holed
			beaded blank
			33mm br
There was a United Co-op Baking Soc on the Ravenhill Ave. Belfast. Unfortunately, there was also one in Glasgow, so this might be from there - or both places.

Information on the history of the Society in Ireland, published in 1914 is on the CD together with three images/coop, the Belfast Headquarters etc, some Belfast branches, and other branches kindly supplied by B. Seawright.

end of data