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Whitchurch and Dore, of this City. These respectable 
individuals feeling in common with their fellow citizens 
the great inconvenience arising from the present scarcity of 
change, have most laudably come forward and issued a Four 
Shilling Token. This measure has already afforded a considerable 
relief ; and we are happy to hear that a further supply of this 
seasonable circulating medium is expected in a few days.” Some 
Bath citizens however, took exception to the Tokens, and a 
vigorous, somewhat acrimonious and lengthy correspondence was 
carried on concerning them in the local press, and as illustrating 
my subject, I quote partially but still extensively from this. 
From the Journal of November 4th, 1811, ‘‘ there are however 
some individuals, who, by issuing of Tokens have endeavoured in 
some degree, to relieve trade from those embarrasments which 
the scarcity of small gold has occasioned; and where these 
individuals have honourably avowed their design on the face of 
their Tokens, to take them back again ‘at full value’ I think 
it ‘very fair ; after all, the Public may choose whether such 
Tokens shall pass current or not’ ‘a Shopkeeper who should 
refuse to aid the circulation of such kind of change, could not be 
celebrated for wisdom of thought or liberality of sentiments’ and 
would ‘be deservedly entitled to the honourable distinction of 
F.R.S. (fellow remarkably stupid).’ ‘I understand, Mr. Printer, 
that it is no new thing for shopkeepers to issue Tokens, although 
an ancient shopkeeper would have jumped over his counter, in a 
fit of astonishment that any of his fraternity had circulated Tokens 
of ‘four shillings apiece.’ 
I remain, yours, &c., 
A CITIZEN OF BaTH.” 
In the Journal of November 25th, appears 
“To the Editor. On the Bath Tokens. 
Sits 
In consequence of the great scarcity of Silver, a considerable 
interruption to our commercial concerns has been occasioned. 
