Historic theatre token sells for £9,200

A Bristol Old Vic theatre token dating from 1766 has sold for £9,200 at auction over the weekend.

Thought to be one of 50 minted, the token was expected to reach between £1,500 and £2,500.

The token was given to the original shareholders at Bristol Old Vic, who each raised £50 for the construction of the theatre.

Inscribed with “the proprietor of this ticket is entitled to the sight of every performance to be exhibited in this house”, it offered the owner unlimited access to shows.

When asked by the BBC if the new owner would be given free access to shows, a Bristol Old Vic spokesperson said: “If it is, indeed, authentic we will honour our policy and provide free tickets to the owner”.

Bristol Old Vic Chair, Bernard Donoghue, added on Twitter/X: “I’m delighted for whoever the new owner of a little bit of our history is”. ⁦