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

Birmingham, Thomas Welch, Penny, 1800, bust left with four buttons on coat, the work of john gregory hancock aged 9 years around, from a model by i.g. hancock sen. below, rev. to encourage a rare instance of genius this coin was struck for t. welch birmingham and date, edge penny token payable on demand, 36.10g/6h (DH 24). Trifling surface marks in obverse field, otherwise extremely fine and virtually as struck, bronzed, extremely rare (£300-400)

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

View
Collection

Provenance:
Fawcett/Litman Collection.

36 struck. Although the coin attests to the precocious talent of the 9-year old John Gregory Hancock Jr (b. 1791), the head of Welch was modelled by his father (see previous lot and Smith, CTCJ Fall 2003, p.26)