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the address, &c., of their issuers, bear, principally on the edges, 
promises to pay or to redeem at other towns. 
Kempson initiated what are known as the “ Building Tokens” 
on his own account, striking some 27 pieces illustrating the 
buildings of Birmingham, and the success of these led to the issue 
of a similar series for Bath and Coventry. 
The devices used on the tokens are legion, and many of them 
are fine specimens of the artists skill in design and execution, 
although it must be confessed that this description does not apply 
to all. Attracted by the great variety of tokens, towards the close 
of the period, rose numerous collectors who eagerly waited the 
production of new pieces, and gave high prices for the more 
artistic specimens. The demand for varieties created a supply, 
and many tokens known as “Mules” were struck, these being 
obtained by mixing various dies, but many of the costly specimens 
soon passed into ordinary circulation at their size value (chiefly 
halfpenny). Of surpassing interest to a local collector is the 
prominent position Bath traders filled in connection with the 
token issue. In point of the number issued by various towns 
London is first, Birmingham second and Bath third. For much 
information on the tokens of this period we are indebted to a 
work by Chas. Pye, an engraver at Birmingham: “ Provincial 
Copper Coins, or Tokens of Trade and Cards of Address on 
Copper, circulated between the years 1787-1801,” in which, as to 
the “Mules,” the author writes :—‘‘Mr. Lambe and Mr. Jelly, 
of Bath, who were collectors, and also Mr. Prentis, of Bury, have 
contributed in no small degree to the number of Mules, by an 
extravagant combination of their own dies.” 
The largest issuer in Bath was undoubtedly Lambe, of the firm of 
Mary Lambe and Son, Stall Street, and he by no means confined 
his energy to our own City, the Counties of Somerset and Wilts, 
and the City of Bristol received his attention, and he was 
responsible for the issue of what is known as the Masonic Penny 
(specimen shown) manufactured by Lutwyche of Birmingham. 
