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

Ravenshead, Skidmore’s Penny, 1797, frontal elevation of Newstead Abbey, rev. Thomas Gorton’s cypher, edge i promise to pay on demand the bearer one penny, 25.69g/11h (DH 5). Extremely fine with original colour, rare (£150-200)

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:
Fawcett/Litman Collection.

Newstead Abbey, located west of Ravenshead, midway between Nottingham and Mansfield, was founded by Henry II. After the dissolution it was converted into a house for Sir John Byron and his descendants, although the estate was ruined by William, 5th Lord Byron (1722-98). On his death the Abbey passed to his great-nephew, George Gordon (1788-1824), the poet who became the 6th Lord Byron. Between 1808 and his exile abroad Byron lived sporadically at the Abbey, which was sold in 1817 to Thomas Wildman, who restored it; the Abbey was gifted to Nottingham Corporation in 1931