"Merry be you enjoying fine ale, but beware, in the darkness at the base of your tankard may be lying a shilling of the Monarch. Too late, and you feel the hand of the Sergeant’s men on your shoulder - accepted the Monarch’s Shilling you have - the bargain concluded!”

When a press gang was looking for crew to join the Royal Navy, they would often go into ale houses to find able bodied men. They offered to buy their new friends a beer, then secretly drop a shilling into the mug. Having drunk all the ale, the poor victim was judged to have 'accepted the Kings Shilling' and therefore volunteered to join the navy. To try and keep their customers, the landlords introduced glass bottomed tankards, so that the prospective crew member was able to look into their beer and see the shilling before accepting the kind gift. 

This practice was first mentioned around 1694, and was common practice until it was officially abolished in 1870. However, it still occurred in some areas 'unofficially' until 1878 with the introduction of the Mutiny act, where it was referred to as "enlistment money"  

Salisbury Fine Metal Artisans is a family owned company of proud and dedicated artisans who recognize the importance of preserving heritage while creating new and exciting products that are sure to become tomorrow’s treasured heirlooms.

Salisbury’s products are produced to the highest quality standards and their various collections capture the spirit of American life. You'll be in the Spirit of '76 with this fine pewter tankard!

Salisbury’s pewter tankards are created and handcrafted in the U.S.A. in their factory in Easton, MD. 

Features:

• Made in USA
• Glass Bottom - to avoid the King's shilling!
• Handcrafted by master artisans
• 16oz Capacity
• Classic Tankard design