Derbyshire (1810) 4 shillings 9 pence
The first specimen was lot 20346 in Stack's Bowers 2018 NYINC sale (New York, January 2018), where it did not sell. The catalog description[1] noted,
"GREAT BRITAIN. Derbyshire. Cromford. 4 Shillings, 9 Pence, ND (ca. 1790's-1810). PCGS GOOD-06 Secure Holder. Issued by Arkwright & Co. mill owners and bankers, likely issued by Richard Arkwright. Countermark: 4/9 surrounded by: "Cromford. Derbyshire." Struck on a 1773-MoFM 8 Reales. The dating of this countermark is based on the fact that in 1810 the price of bullion generally remained above five shillings until mid 1815. According to Manville this is the only example of this date host coin for this issuer for all denominations. Well worn as would be expected from the designated grade with lovely deep old cabinet tone. Clearly this piece sat for a prolonged period of time undisturbed. A pleasant example with a fabulous provenance. Countermark well applied with clear definition of the details. Countermark: VF DETAIL. Ex: DNW Auction 04/2014, lot# 551. Ex: Walter Allen Collection sold by Spink Auction 34, 03/1984, lot# 8. Ex: H.E. Manville Collection. Ex: D.W. Grey Auction 04/1972, lot# 181."
The second specimen was lot 53270 in Stack's Bowers NYINC sale (New York, January 2024), where it sold for $5,040. The catalog description[2] noted,
"GREAT BRITAIN. Great Britain - Mexico. Derbyshire. Cromford. 4 Shillings 9 Pence, ND (1790s-1810). NGC VF Details--Private Countermark. Issued by Arkwright & Co. mill owners and bankers, likely issued by Richard Arkwright. Countermark: 4/9 surrounded by: "Cromford. Derbyshire". Applied to the obverse of a 1781-Mo FF Mexico bust 8 Reales of Charles III (KM-106.2). The countermark is bold, though slightly uneven on a nicely preserved host coin displaying lovely old envelope patina with a faint iridescent sheen. Wholesome and attractive, this scarce issue offers a pleasing appearance with good eye appeal.
The dating of this countermark issue is based on the fact that the majority of hosts are dated between 1790s until 1810 which is the suggested issuing period for the 4 Shillings 9 Pence. From 1810 until about mid 1815 the price of bullion generally remained above five shillings. It is also interesting to point out the addition of what appears to be a later added merchant mark "UTTOXETER" and "S KEELING" in the right and left obverse fields. The exact origins or meaning of these stamps is unknown at this time. Though there is a company that was formerly established in 1919, but were located in Stoke-on-Trent where they have remained to this day. We have been unable to locate any further meaningful information pertaining to this issuer and would make a great research project for the scholarly collector. Ex: Clyde Hubbard Collection. Ex: Joseph Lepczyk Auction (11/1981) Lot # 1315."
The north of England in the early nineteenth century was tearing into the Industrial Revolution and manufacturers were eager for coin to facilitate trade. As the Royal Mint could not keep up, many private issues appeared. Spanish dollars circulated freely and many of these were countermarked; the SCWC records over a hundred different countermarks. Today they are all rare. This counterstamp is attributed to 1790-1810 and most likely towards the end of that period.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 27.07 g, 0.896 fine silver, .780 troy oz ASW (host coin).
Catalog reference: Manville-104 (this coin listed); Brunk-51150; KM-643.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [1]Ponterio, Richard, Kyle Ponterio, John Kraljevich and Cris Chatigny, The January 2018 NYINC Sale: Ancient Coins, World Coins & Paper Money, featuring the Eldorado Collection of Colombian and Ecuadorian Coins, Santa Ana, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2017.
- [2]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, January 2024 NYINC Auction, featuring the Emilio M Ortiz Collection and a Symphony of Russian Rarities, the Rothschild-Piatigorsky Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2023.
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