British Tokens

NORTHUMBERLAND, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, silver ticket, 1800, unsigned, frontal elevation of the grandstand, rev. horse standing right, jockey holding reins, field named (His Grace the Duke of Northumberland), 31mm, 15.01g/6h (D & W 323/17; cf. DH Northumberland 24). Pierced, otherwise very fine and toned, very rare
£600-800

Provenance: W.J. Noble Collection, Part I, Noble Numismatics Auction 58B (Melbourne), 7-8 July 1998, lot 756 [from Spink 1973]; J. Spingarn Collection FPL (322); R.S. Brown Jr Collection [from J.S. February 2001].

Hugh Smithson, later Percy, 2nd Duke of Northumberland (1742-1817); Captain, 85th Regt, fought with distinction at the battles of Bergen and Minden, 1759; MP for Westminster, 1763-76; promoted to full Colonel and appointed ADC to George III, 1764; participated in the battle of Lexington, 1774 and commanded a division at the battle of Long Island, 1776; resigned his command in disgust at the policies adopted by General Howe, 1777; acceded to the title on his father’s death, 1786; Lord Lieutenant of Northumberland 1786-98 and 1802-17; Colonel of the Royal Regt of Horse Guards, 1806-13