Good Money, the true and remarkable story of private coinage and banking in Britain in the early years of the Industrial Revolution (1775–1850) by George Selgin
If you enjoy this fascinating narrative, you might consider owning some examples. American numismatists call them "Conder Tokens" after an early cataloguer. In the UK, they are called Provincial Tokens because they most often came from towns and counties outside of London - though interestingly many promised payment in London (or Birmingham).
SOURCE URL: http://mises.org/daily/3072