Owner Comments:
Middlesex Kempson’s Series of London Buildings and Gates DH #64
Obverse: A view of the front of a large public building ORDNANCE OFFICE. OLD PALACE YARD
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: Common
The former Ordinance Office stood in Old Palace Yard, Westminster. An entrance through it led to the Old House of Lords, which was used by the conspirators in the Gunpower plot.
The obverse die quickly failed as evidence the large die crack on the right side. Most examples exhibit a massive cud on the right side where the die broke.
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 55
Heritage Sale, 24 October 2024