Item № 113
The Miner’s Tally
Following nationalisation in 1947, Britain’s coal industry was administered under the National Coal Board. Identification within collieries was procedural and recorded. Each miner was issued numbered tallies, commonly referred to as checks, corresponding to their individual assignment.
Item No. 113 is stamped “N.C.B 241 RAWDON.” The lettering indicates National Coal Board issue and association with Rawdon Colliery, located in Moira, Leicestershire. The number denotes a specific worker. The metal square is administrative rather than ornamental.
At the start of a shift, tallies were removed from a surface board and exchanged within the pit system — commonly at the lamp room and before descent. At the end of a shift, the process was reversed. The absence of a tally on the board signalled an absence underground.
The object measures 30 by 30 millimetres. Surface wear is consistent with handling. Edges show compression from repeated contact against other tokens.
The piece was stabilised and fitted with a sterling silver ball chain. No polishing was undertaken that would obscure stamped lettering or abrasion.
The tally functions as a record of presence. The number remains legible.