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

Middlesex [incorporating London], Central London, Strand, Daniel Mendoza and William Ward, Mainwaring’s ‘Boxers’ Penny or medal, 1791, in white metal, bare heads of pugilists vis-à-vis, rev. boxers, oak branch above, date in exergue, edge plain, 13.17g/12h (DH 35; BHM 356). Light rubbing to the high points on reverse, otherwise about extremely fine, very rare (£600-800)

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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Provenance:
Bt Baldwin October 1973.

Daniel Mendoza (1764-1836), the Sephardic Jew of Spanish descent, became heavyweight boxing champion of England after a series of contents against Richard Humphries between 1788 and 1790. He enjoyed patronage from the Prince of Wales and opened his boxing school with his partner, William Ward, at the Lyceum in 1791. It is likely that the above piece was struck to mark the occasion. Mendoza lost his boxing title in 1795 and in later life ran two pubs in the east end of London (cf. Bell, CTCJ Spring 2002, pp.6-9)