Coins, Tokens and Historical Medals

James Murray, Duke of Atholl (1736-1765), Proof Penny, 1758, in silver, by J. Florry, normal thistle, from the same dies as previous, edge herring-bone right, 11.72g/2h (Prid. 15A; S 7411b; KM. 7a; cf. Cain 2724 [= Baldwin 86, 29]). Bright from prior cleaning and wear to high points from being a pocket piece, otherwise about very fine, very rare £600-800

Provenance: H.E. Manville Collection [bt June 1997].

The latest research would suggest that these silver strikings were coined after the regular copper issue, as the dies exhibit more wear. John Florry (†1788), the Birmingham manufacturer of the 1758 Atholl issue who had first quoted for the coinage contract in July 1756, coined at least 48 specimens in silver, which had been received by the Duke of Atholl in London by 18 May 1758 (Alan Kelly, pers. comm)