Ancient, British and World Coins. Tokens, Tickets and Passes. Historical and Art Medals. British and World Paper Money.

Coining, Coining: Taylor & Challen Ltd, Birmingham, Échantillon or trial piece for the company’s minting machinery, c.1900, in bronze, coin press, reverse inscription in Chinese characters, edge feintly grained, 39mm (Hawkins p.470; cf. Noble Auction, 13.vii.2000, 3300; cf. DNW 41, 868). About extremely fine, patinated, rare (£80-100)

Taylor & Challen Ltd (est. 1889), makers of coin presses, etc., Constitution Hill, Birmingham. The Chinese inscription translates as: “Revenue Machine Picture” in centre, and “The Ti Ya Shih Company in Shanghai engrossed in tooling” around the circumference