Tea Bricks Doubled As Currency

It was common practice to press dried tea into bricks for easy transport, and in many cases such bricks also doubled for currency in the Chinese hinterlands. This brick was pressed specifically for export to pre-revolution Russia.  

Tea Brick rev
Tea Brick obv

via Coinbooks

Great Britain, Somersetshire, Bath, Copper Farthing Trade Token, dated 1796, obverse: tea chest inscribed M. LAMBE & SON GROCERS BATH with two Chinese characters, SPICES TEAS SUGARS COFFEES around, reverse: ML&S cypher, PAYABLE ON DEMAND around, date below, edge milled, diam. 23mm. Mary Lambe & Son were grocers at tea dealers at 36 Stall Street (merged with 1 Bath Street in 1799). Mary was the widow of Lacon Lambe who died in 1775; her sons were Lacon Lander Lambe and Markes Lambe. 
Pop-upView Separately

Great Britain, Somersetshire, Bath, Copper Farthing Trade Token, dated 1796, obverse: tea chest inscribed M. LAMBE & SON GROCERS BATH with two Chinese characters, SPICES TEAS SUGARS COFFEES around, reverse: ML&S cypher, PAYABLE ON DEMAND around, date below, edge milled, diam. 23mm. Mary Lambe & Son were grocers at tea dealers at 36 Stall Street (merged with 1 Bath Street in 1799). Mary was the widow of Lacon Lambe who died in 1775; her sons were Lacon Lander Lambe and Markes Lambe. 

(via )