Lead Tokens were in use from the medieval period and were still in use during the 17th and 18th centuries. It is believed that they were used for paying casual wages to agricultural and other country workers at a time when small change was in short supply. 

The tokens could be redeemed for cash or spent at local stores There are hundreds of different designs and most are cast  and crudely made.  

(Not all the photos  are shown actual size).