In the modern day, the printed 'Communion Card' has superseded the Communion Token, and even that is now almost a thing of the past. Both have been used as a way of ensuring that 'only those shall be admitted to the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper who have been found qualified and entitled to receive it'.
The material used for the construction of the Communion Token was, for the most part, lead, but may at times have been of other alloys, such as brass, or even leather.
Their general appearance and shape, as can be seen from the accompanying illustrations, was either round or square. In earlier times they are more often referred to as 'tickets' even when made of metal.
Tickets were common in the early 17th century, at that time being, generally, very simply made with only the name or initials of the church and a year date. Later, they became more elaborate and more artistic. Starting with the required indication of the name of the parish, a date and the minister's initials, there could be, in addition, whatever ornamentation the maker wished to add.
The Stichill Parish Token of 1777 is round - 23mm or 7/8ths of an inch in diameter. On the one side are the initials STK for Stichill with a design above and the date 1777 below. On the reverse are the letters RASM (Rev Andrew Scott, Minister) with the letters each in a separated quarter.