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M0204
Coins/Medallions: M0204
Title
Lyceum Theatre token
Date
1794
Dimensions
diameter: 2.8cm
depth: 0.1cm
depth: 0.1cm
Inscription/signature
SINGING DANCING TUMBLING SLACK WIRES/ EVERY EVENING
THE FIRST EQUEST.N PERFORMANCE IN EUROPE/ LYCEUM STRAND/ LONDON
THE FIRST EQUEST.N PERFORMANCE IN EUROPE/ LYCEUM STRAND/ LONDON
Provenance
Purchased from Fitzsimons book dealer.
This token was issued by Philip Astley in 1794 when he moved to the Lyceum while his Amphitheatre was being rebuilt, after its destruction by fire. A rider in the character of Mercury, can be seen, standing on his left foot on the back of a prancing horse, holding a herald's wand above his head with his left hand. Reverse is an acrobat balancing on his head on the point of a sword, which is itself balanced on the centre of a small table.
