The Collection of 18th Century Tokens formed by Dr David L Spence

Cornwall, Truro, Cornish Metal Co, Proof Halfpenny, 1791, in bronzed-copper, druid’s head left within wreath, rev. arms, edge plain, 13.18g/6h (DH 2). Brilliant and practically as struck (£50-70)

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Collection of 18th Century Tokens formed by Dr David L Spence.

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Collection

Provenance:
F.W. Lincoln Collection, Glendining Auction, 12-13 February 1936, lot 191 (part) [from J. Henry]
Fawcett/Litman Collection.

John Vivian, head of the Cornish Metal Co, established in 1784 by himself, Thomas Williams, Matthew Boulton and James Watt, first approached Boulton’s agent, Thomas Wilson in Truro, about a ‘Cornish coinage’ in the summer of 1789, but the tokens were not struck for another two years (Doty, CTCJ November 1997, pp.11-15)