Exechequer tally, 1812

Exchequer Tally, dated 1812, imperfect

Exchequer tally, 1812.Tally sticks were a method of acounting for loans and payments used by the Treasury until 1826. Notches were cut into wooden sticks representing sums of money. The sticks were then split down the middle with the Exchequer keeping one half and the debtor the other. When the debt was due to be paid, the two halves were matched to see if they 'tallied'. If they did not, this was evidence of fraud.