Country of Issue:UK Manufacturer: J.R.GauntDiameter: 38mm Coin Dates: (Known to Exist) 1885, 1893, 1928, 1929, 1942
ReverseLegend: “Good Luck from La Scala” above farthing, “Oxford Rd, Manchester” below in between stops.
Obverse Legend: “Keep me and you will never be broke” within a horseshoe "J.R.G."
(centred below - the initials of the manufacturer J.R. Gaunt)
(Images & Information Courtesy of Bob Byrne U.S.A.)
The La Scala Cinema was opened at Whitsun in 1914 with a seating capacity of 2,300. It was built for Bernard Rhodes and initially the entrance was on Booth Street East, but it was soon moved around the corner to the main Oxford Road. The La Scala Cinema also had a ballroom and a café.
On 22nd August 1928, it was taken over by the Associated British Cinemas(ABC) chain. Taken over by an independent operator in October 1945, it was re-named Roxy Cinema. It was closed in January 1958, for a total modernisation.
Re-opened as the Plaza Cinema on 27th February 1958 with Charlton Heston in "The Ten Commandments" , with Charlton Heston appearing ‘in person’ at this northern UK premiere presentation. The seating capacity had been reduced to 1,704.
Taken over by the Star Cinemas chain in April 1962, bingo was tried, but films also continued. It was demolished in 1970, and the Manchester Aquatics Centre was built on the site.
Encased Farthings 