Mechanical tobacco box, England, 1770-1830

Penny-slot mechanical tobacco box, all brass with key, on four ball feet, Rich's patent, Bridgwater, English, 1770-1830

In the 1700s, before the era of cigarette machines, penny-slot machines like this one were used in taverns and pubs in London to sell tobacco for smoking, chewing and snorting. Inserting an old British penny (1d) into the slot would have sprung open the lid to reveal tobacco. The box was designed in Bridgwater, Somerset, England.