Billy & Charley Pilgrim Tokens, circa.1850s
Pilgrim Tokens are typically souvenirs and tokens from holy shrines, worn after a completed journey or as a protective amulet. These tokens, however, are forgeries. They were part of an infamous scandal in Victorian London also known as the Shadwell Shams.
Billy Smith and Charley Eaton were mudlarks, searching the Thames’ shore during low tide for saleable items including historical artefacts. There was high demand for newly discovered artefacts amongst London antique dealers. Deciding to team up and remove the luck of finding these items, Billy and Charley began to make their own ‘relics’. Taking inspiration from objects they had seen, they carved moulds, melted lead to cast tokens and small figures and used acid to ‘age’ the metal. They claimed these items were found during the works at Shadwell Docks.
These ‘newly discovered’ items were well received and many collectors believed them to be genuine. In 1857 it was reported the pair had sold 1,100 objects for approximately £200 which, today, is about £19,000. There was some doubt, however, amongst professionals, including those within the British Archaeological Association. This was mostly due to the jumbled inscriptions on the tokens which did not make sense and other small inconsistencies.
The truth was eventually revealed and, though Billy and Charley were brought before court several times, neither were ever prosecuted. Charley died of consumption aged 35 in 1870 and Billy’s fate is unknown.
