Obv: Arms and supporters of Bath, W. GYE PRINTER & STATIONER BATH around, 1794 below. Rev: Female seated instructing boy with key to unlock the prison doors, REMEMBER THE DEBTORS IN ILCHESTER GOAL. (around). Edge: PAYABLE AT W. GYE’S PRINTER BATH X.X.
Uncirculated and choice brown with reflective fields. Devices are a bit weak on reverse, but a very clean example. Scarce.
Manufactured by Lutwyche for William Gye, a bookseller and printer in Bath. He was a well-known philanthropist and upon his death, 4,000 people attended his funeral. Debtors were commonly imprisoned in the 18th century for owing small debts which they had no means of repaying, and would often languish in prison for life. Gye would use this token to raise funds for donating to the prisoners.