Owner Comments:
Middlesex Kempson's Series of London Buildings and Gates DH #48
Obverse: The front of a large building with three domes BETHLEM HOSPITAL with ERECTED MDCLXXV below in two lines between small sprigs of leaves
Reverse: The Arms of the City of London between palm branches crossed beneath the shield, legend on a raised rim LONDON PENNY TOKEN, a small ornament at the bottom
Edge: Plain
Diesinker: Thomas Wyon
Manufacturer: Peter Kempson
Rarity: Scarce
Bethlem Hospital was founded in 1247 as the Priory of the New Order of our Lady of Bethlehem in Bishopgate, just beyond the city walls. It is unknown exactly when Bethlem (or Bedlam as it was commonly referred to) began to specialize in the care and control of the insane.
In 1678 the hospital was rebuilt in Moorsfield, Finsbury with the figures Raving and Melancholy flanking its gates. In the eighteenth century Bethlem was well known for its harsh treatment of the insane, the public could pay admittance to see the inmates in irons or chained to the walls.
One of Peter Kempson's series of London building tokens made for collectors. The series consists of 39 tokens portraying 25 buildings, 3 bridges, and 8 ancient gates of London.
Atkins: Middlesex 39
Bt. Merfyn Williams