An English Dentist's Token C1860

As I have previously said, one of my interests in in dentists' tokens.

The piece illustrated here was issued by Samuel Wilde of Liverpool, England, sometime between 1858 and 1865. The token (which is probably an advertising piece) can be so accurately dated because the manufacturer, Park, was only in business between those dates.

Samuel Wilde is recorded in the UK 1861 census as a "surgeon dentist" residing in Liverpool with his wife and an assistant. Thereafter he disappears from all records in Liverpool, and presumably relocated elsewhere.

This token is of particular interest as it was issued at at a time of rapid scientific advances in dentistry. Oral hygiene in mid-19th century England was generally poor; many people suffered the agony of toothache with dental cavities, abscesses, and gum disease. The only remedy was often extraction, which the introduction of anaesthetics in the late 1840's had made painless. The token features a set of artificial teeth, and states the prices charged for them, reflecting the increasing demand once painless extractions had become possible.

I hope this is of interest.