BRUM HISTORY - IT'S A REAL GAS

26-04-2008

It's remarkable what can be found in old boxes - and Andy Goff tells of a little gem he's found .....

I was at my Dad’s, having a scratch through some old coins and medals the other day, and came across this little oddity.

A medal was struck, it appears, in 1894 as a tirade against the policies of Birmingham Corporation's practices.

Side 1 - The Birmn Corporation robs Gas fitters of their business. Rate and trading is tyrannical & inimical to the public welfare. 1894
W Beale
Est 1861

Side 1 – Outside rim - W Beale – Hill Street Birmn * Cheapest house for gas fittings

Side 2 – Outside rim -Beal’s patent comet holder’s for gas globes

Side 2 – Shows, I presume, gas fitters making parts.

It seems Birmingham Corporation was not being over helpful to gas fitters, which must have been quite a trade in those early days of house-hold energy supplies.

I also found a George III penny dated 1771.

Estimated value between £10 and £65.

So no pension top-up there then!