The Collection of British Tokens formed by John Rose

17th Century Tokens, LONDON (Metropolitan Middlesex), Lincoln’s Inn Gate [Holborn], Richard Winsper, Farthing, 1.16g/6h (N –; BW. 1707). Obverse good fine, reverse very fine, dark patina, the only issue for the locality; one of the great rarities of the entire metropolitan series £200-£300

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Collection of British Tokens formed by John Rose.

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Provenance: With Spink; bt Q.D.R. Archer 2017 [from Baldwin].

The vendor comments: “I presume this refers to the Lincoln’s Inn gatehouse, leading from Chancery Lane into the Inn. The building was partially funded by Sir Thomas Lovell and built in 1517-21. The oak doors were made about 1564. The rooms above the gate were said to have been occupied by Oliver Cromwell, then an 18-year old student, in 1617. Some of the brickwork was laid by Ben Jonson, when he was a bricklayer’s apprentice”