Important British and World Coins

Miscellaneous, Thomas de la Rue Engineering Ltd, London: Bronze check, 1962, bust of Thomas de la Rue left, thomas de la rue engineering ltd around, rev. head of African elephant, nigerian trade fair and date around, edge plain, 31mm, 11.82g/12h; uniface checks (2), in brass and white metal alloy, similar bust, thomas de la rue + minting division + around, edges plain, both 23.2mm, 4.78g, 3.79g [3]. Last fine, others very fine, all very rare (£50-70)

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Joanna Tansley Collection of Patterns, Proofs and Coining Trials.

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First two only illustrated. Thomas de la Rue (1793-1866), a Guernseyman, came to London with his family in 1818 and in 1821 established himself in business as a printer, stationer and fancy goods manufacturer. In 1855 his company began printing British postage stamps and in 1860 obtained its first contract to print banknotes, for Mauritius. Converted into a private company in 1896, its reputation was such that the Treasury commissioned de la Rue to print the famous Bradbury banknotes during World War I. Since 1930 the company, which had converted to public ownership in 1921, has printed banknotes for a number of countries and issuing authorities worldwide, acquiring the Waterlow banknote and security printing business in 1961