Peter Kempson, Emsworth Halfpenny Mule, 1794 (D&H Hampshire 16)

Peter Kempson, Emsworth Halfpenny Mule, 1794 (D&H Hampshire 16)

Obv Bust of Earl Howe facing left. Around the perimeter EARL HOWE & THE GLORIOUS FIRST OF JUNE. The queue points between the J and U of JUNE and the & is some distance from the E and T.

Rev: A ship under sail to right, 1794 below. PRO BONO PUBLICO above. 

Edge: CURRENT EVERY WHERE  (Conder p.226, 134; Atkins p. 36, 13; D&H Hampshire 16)

From a lightly rusted reverse die. Very choice, lustrous faded red uncirculated.

Peter Kempson, (1755-1824), buttonmaker, later token manufacturer, St. Mary's Row, Birmingham, later Little Charles Street. Kempson was actively involved in the production of tokens from 1791 until 1799, turning out more than 60 tons of "legitimate provincial coins" for various commissions. Kempson also freely muled dies in his posession, and produced a variety of tokens for sale to collectors.