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BIRMINGHAM, Kings Norton Metal Co Ltd, Trial for the Penny, 1902, in bronze, kings norton metal co l·d around border of linked concentric circles, this encircling ten small circles and a further border of linked concentric circles within which is the cypher knm, rev. quadrilobe of four concentric circles, each around group of four pellets, chain of rosettes around, edge plain, 31mm, 9.43g (cf. Tansley 383-4 rev./DNW 68, 744 rev.). Somewhat discoloured, otherwise very fine and an interesting mule, of the highest rarity £200-400

The Kings Norton Metal Company, a private mint in Kings Norton, Birmingham, had, as one of its first important contracts in the coinage business, a contract to supply blanks for British farthings, halfpence and pennies in 1912 and 1913. The existence of this and a few other pieces like it, mostly bearing the head of Edward VII, demonstrates clearly that the company had designs on a British coinage contract early in that reign and Graham Dyer kindly advises that in 1902 the company informed the Royal Mint that they had installed a coining plant and were willing to supply the Mint with coins and blanks