By all accounts the Robinson S. Brown Jr. Conder Token Auction by DNW in London on October 7th, 2009 by was a great success. The Brown collection (Part I) consisted of lots 1 – 247 and realized ₤91,080 including the buyer’s premium. The entire auction consisted of 621 lots, 4 lots went unsold, there were 98 successful bidders and a total of 33 vendors. A few hightlights follow.
Pictured above is Lot 132, from Essex, Epping Forest [DH 1], Spence’s Shilling dated 1796 (the 9 and 6 in the date are retrograde, see below). It has the stag right and the reverse has the star and Garter. The edge reads: Spence x Dealer x in x Coins x London. The quality of the work that went into this token is perhaps best noted by the eye of the stag, what craftsmanship! The token sold for ₤540.
Lot 9 Aylesbury [DH 4], Francis Wheeler Halfpenny dated 1797, had most attractive original surfaces with brilliant toning. This lot sold for ₤ 1440 ($2,290 based on US exchange of $1.59). All prices include a 20% buyers’ premium.
Lot 10 Aylesbury [DH 5] another Francis Wheeler, Skidmore’s mule Halfpenny (1797), where the approximate population is reported to be 6 pieces with 2 in institutions, produced ₤ 780 ($1,240).
Lot 11 Aylesbury [DH 6] was another Francis Wheeler, Skidmore’s mule Halfpenny, with the same obverse die as Lot 10 brought ₤ 816 ($1297) in extremely fine condition with only one other specimen known. This example’s provenance goes back to the S.H. Hamer Collection.
Lot 12 Aylesbury [DH 7c], Lutwyche’s Halfpenny with the laureate but of William III and perhaps the finest in private hands was hammered down at ₤ 1,020 ($1,622). The provenance of this coin was back to the W. Anderson Collection (April 2000) and J. Spingarn Collection (February 2001).
Lot 13 Aylesbury [DH 8], another very rare (only one other specimen known to the cataloguer) Skidmore’s mule brought ₤ 540 ($859). This specimen has the FW cipher surmounted by the crest of a swan and encircled by a wreath of oak and palm on the obverse while the reverse has the heart on hand. Beautiful example and practically unique.
Lot 15 Aylesbury [DH 9], another Skidmore’s Halfpenny coming from the S.H. Hamer collection brought ₤ 744 ($1,183).
Lot 19 Aylesbury [DH 14], Skidmore’s mule with justice seated right and with the Hendon church on the reverse, brought ₤ 1,200 ($1,908). Another example where only two other specimens are known, and one of those is in the British Museum.
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