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The Coal Duties Act of 1851 gave the Corporation of the City of London the power to tax coal and other goods (including wine and spirits) entering the Metropolitan area. The boundary of the area - for this purpose - was marked by posts or other markers, many of which still exist. This one is typical of the commonest type - though part of the original lettering is missing. It stands near a bus-shelter at the eastern end of Church Road. There is a second post round the corner in the Great North Road - less than a minute's walk away http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/3598965