A GROUP of four tiny coin-like discs issued by pubs and hotels in Dalton and Coniston have sold for more than £350 at auction

These rare copper items would have been issued around 1900 as promotions to attract customers or would act as entry tickets for billiards, bowling greens, concerts, or meeting rooms offered at pubs.

The highest price was £128 for a pub check or token for two old pennies from the Crown Hotel at Coniston when James Dove was landlord.

In the same sale by Simmons Gallery, of Leytonstone, London, was a three penny token from the Crown Hotel which sold for £106.

Both Coniston pub checks had pre-sale estimates of £20 to £40.

Also in the sale were two pub checks from Dalton.

The first was a rather crude check with Clarence Hotel and the value of two pennies stamped on it.

It was expected to sell for £8 to £16 but went to a collector for £51.

In the 1882 History and Directory of Furness and West Cumberland, the Clarence Hotel was run by Mr R. Clark, at Ulverston Road, Dalton.

There was also an oval token for the Wellington Hotel, giving the landlord’s name as Bell.

It was expected to sell for up to £30 but made £66.

The 1882 directory lists the Wellington Hotel, in Market Street and says it was run by Fred Bell.