Regimental Communion Token of the 72nd Highlanders believed to have been struck at Capetown, South Africa in 1793. Caption: "The Communion Token was an extremely important object in the religious lives of the Scot from the 16th Century on. Without the token one could not be admitted to the service of Holy Communion, nor could he partake of the element, the Body and Blood of Christ, at the most sacred liturgical act within the Christian Church. To obtain a token was no easy task. On the Sunday preceding the celebration of the Lord's Supper, it was general practice to hold an examination. Candidates were tested as to their Bible knowledge, and it was ascertained who was worthy of partaking of the Sacrament. At Lasswade in 171 0, it was required "that nane get tickets but those that has bidden try all and fund well instructit in the Belief, Lord's Prayer and Ten Commands". Even if one were fortunate enough to gain entry to the church without a token, this was no guarantee that he would receive the Sacrament. The Communion Token was distinctive. It not only distinguished the worthy from the unworthy, but also one parish from another. Although there are over 5000 tokens in existence, this specimen appears to be the only one struck by a Scottish Regiment for use in its own church. This token was struck in approximately 1793. It was used when the 72nd were serving in Cape Town, South Africa, where both officers and men worshipped in the Dutch Church (1806-21) and in their own Scottish Church (1828-38). There are only two of these tokens of the 72nd Regiment known to exist. The other is in the Seaforth Museum at Fort George, Scotland. Written and donated by Ian A. Millar, North Carolina." REGIMENTAL. 69. 72ND REGIMENT. Obv. SCOTCH/CHURCH, round edge ; across centre, 72d. REGT. Rev. THIS DO IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME •, round edge; across centre, 1st COR. 11. 24. Rd., 16. R.S.M. [Royal Scottish Museum, Edinburgh]