Coins, Tokens and Historical Medals

Miscellaneous Tokens and Checks, Transportation: a George III Penny, 1797, both sides planed smooth and stipple engraved, ship sailing left, peter peele aged 23, 7 years, may 20, 1842, rev. maria peele when this you see remember me until i get my liberty, clasped hands flanked by two hearts, 35mm. Very fine and of competent style; of unusual American interest £150-£200

Provenance: R. Lyall Collection.

Peter Peele (1819-84), b 7 July 1819 in Birmingham, was married to Maria Worley (1824-1901) in West Bromwich in 1839. He was convicted of stealing 10 gross of glass beads from Joseph Billmore, of Birmingham, his ‘master’, on 20 May 1842, and sentenced to 7 years’ transportation to Bermuda. On release he returned to England where he followed the trade of button maker. The names of him and his family last occurs in the 1871 Census; some time afterwards the family removed to the USA. Peele died at Newark, Essex county, New Jersey, on 13 February 1884