Chapter Penny

Chapter Penny: Prior to 1797, in the United States, the Mark Degree was conferred in Craft lodges operating under a grand lodge warrant. After that date, the majority of Mark lodges were warranted by a number of Grand Chapters and occasionally by General Grand Chapter. In New York, Mark lodges ceased working after the Morgan episode. In Mark lodges, the Mark jewel became increasingly popular in the post Revolutionary War years. Following the demise of the Mark lodges, the Chapter penny gradually evolved from the Mark jewel. The important features of the Mark jewel have been retained, such as the keystone, symbols, name and location of the Chapter, the individual’s name and personal mark. [Contributed by Richard Eades, from William Peacher’s The Evolution of the Chapter Penny]