Obv: View of the prison, NEWGATE above, MDCCXCIV in exergue. Rev: KING AND CONSTITION on banners, crown above, 1794 below. Edge: CURRENT EVERYWHERE.
Uncirculated and Choice brown.
There was no prison more infamous and forbidding than Newgate Prison throughout London’s long history. In reading R.C. Bell’s notes on D&H 391, which has the same obverse die as this token, a vivid picture is painted of the prison. You can picture the public executions, which were commonplace until as late as 1868, which took place in front of the left door on the token, known as the ‘debtor’s door’. In 1786, the body of a woman was burnt there following her execution. The Gordon Riots of 1780 saw the partial burning of the structure shown on our token.