Suffolk, Ipswich, James Conder, Milton’s first Penny, 1795, bust of Cardinal Wolsey left, in cap with tassel, artist’s initials below, rev. Wolsey’s gate, edge plain, 16.41g/12h (DH 9). Usual die flaw on obverse in later stage, extremely fine and attractively patinated, of the highest rarity and one of the classic tokens in the entire 18th century series; only 4 struck
£900-£1,200

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, 18th Century Tokens from the Collection formed by the late David Barry Bailey.

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Collection

Provenance: F.S. Cokayne Collection [from Spink October 1901]; T.A. Jan Collection, Part II, Spink Auction 35, 11 April 1984, lot 60; W.J. Noble Collection, Part I, Noble Numismatics Auction 58B (Melbourne), 7-8 July 1998, lot 863 [from S.E. Schwer June 1984]; D.B. Griffiths Collection, Part III, DNW Auction T12, 3 October 2012, lot 275.

Contrary to assertions in the Noble sale catalogue, this is almost certainly not the Davis specimen (1901 sale, lot 310, to the Norwich dealer Louis Levine at £6 5s); that piece may have resurfaced in modern times as part of lot 251 in the Longman sale, acquired by A.W. Jan and not to be confused with Mr Jan’s son’s ownership of the present coin, for which Cokayne paid Spink £5. Both Hamer and Waite-Sanderson never owned copper strikings of DH 9