Warwickshire (1847) farthing token Bell-980
This specimen was part of lot 40238 in Stack's Bowers ANA sale (Chicago, August 2024), which sold for $1,020. The catalog description[1] noted, "GREAT BRITAIN. Trade Tokens. Trio of Copper Farthing Tokens (3 Pieces), 1838-47. All PCGS Certified. 1) Warwickshire. Birmingham. Samuel King. 1838. MS-65 Brown. 2) Warwickshire. Birmingham. J. H. Stokens. ND (ca. 1847). MS-62 Brown. 3) Somerset. Bath. Collins & Co. Grocers. ND (ca. 1840s). MS-64 Brown. Withers-130. A charming group of three Mint State Farthing Tokens featuring a similar thematic element. All are incredibly attractive for the type, and rather SCARCE when preserved this nicely. Their origin from the Cokayne Collection only adds to the general appeal. Ex: Francis Cokayne Collection with tags." Trade tokens, so popular in the 1790's, were banned after 1818 when reforms allowed the Mint to supplant them with official coinage. Issuers evaded the ban by removing the denomination from the design.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: copper.
Catalog reference: Bell-980.
- Paul and Bente Withers, The Token Book, British Tokens of the 17th, 18th & 19th Centuries and Their Values, Llanfyllin, Powys, Wales: Galata Print, Ltd, 2022.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, August 2024 Global Showcase Auction, World & Ancient Coins, featuring The Emilio M. Ortiz Collection, The Richard Margolis Collection and The Rutherford Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2024.
Link to:
- Warwickshire 1838 farthing token W-660, Birmingham, Samuel King
- Great Britain 1845 farthing
- Somersetshire (1840-49) farthing token W-130, Bath, Collins & Co. Grocers
- Coins and currency dated 1847