Coins, Tokens and Historical Medals

Tokens (Early 19th century), Douglas, Atlas Fire Office (John Beatson and George Copeland), Penny, 1811, 13.81g/6h (W 2075; Prid. 54; KM. Tn 11), Halfpenny, 1811, small letters, 7.68g/6h (W 2076; Prid. 59; KM. Tn 4) [2]. Very fine £150-200

John Beatson (†4 July 1814, aged 44), a printer, and George Copeland were proprietors of a wine and liquor vault at Custom House quay, which also served as a banking business; they were Douglas agents of the Atlas Fire Office and also issued card and paper money. Beatson was proprietor of the short-lived Isle of Man Weekly Gazette and General Advertiser, launched in 1812, which was acquired by Mark Anthony Mills from Beatson’s widow, Isabella, and Copeland in 1815