When the building of a new theatre on King Street was proposed in the 1760s, 50 supporters pledged £50 towards the construction. As a return on their investment, they were each presented with an individually numbered silver token, entitling them to “the sight of every performance to be exhibited in this house”, a promise which is honoured to this day. Only 49 paid in the end!
Each share cost £50 with 50 “city gentlemen” paying their share to raise the capital required for the theatre to be built. A document of 2 Nov 1764 reads:
"Paid in part of my subscription for a share in the New Theatre to be built in Bristol 1st payment – £10.0.0."