British Tokens & Medallions, 19^th Century Copper Tokens

Glamorganshire, Landore; British Copper Company, W574 – Plate Token, Wyon’s pattern copper penny, 23.33g. When sold at DNW in October 2019, this piece was described by the cataloguer as “by far the most important 19^th Century Welsh token” in existence, with just 4 owners from struck. This piece is said to have been a gift of the engraver Peter Wyon to Sir George Chetwynd somewhere between 1812 and 1822. Having acquired the piece from the Norman sale at Sotheby in June 1905, this piece would remain in the Cokayne collection until finally sold at DNW in 2019. Making just its second auction appearance in 118 years, this is a rare opportunity to acquire this quintessential masterpiece.  With some trifling marks, this piece is essentially as struck and of the very highest rarity – Unique.

Est. £5,000-£7,000

Provenance : F.S. Cokayne Collection, DNW Auction 03 October 2019, lot 916 (£3,800 hammer); This, bought from the W. Norman Collection, Sotheby Auction June 1905, lot 188; Acquired as part of the Christie’s Auction of the Sir George Chetwynd estate sold over four days between 30 July and 02 August 1872, lot 46 (part); Made by renowned artist and engraver Peter Wyon, as a unique gift.

Plated on page 193, Sharp No.3 in Thomas Sharp’s Catalogue of Provincial Coins, Tokens, Tickets and Medalets issued in Great Britain, Ireland, and the Colonies, during the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Centuries (1834).
Recorded by W.J. Davis in Nineteenth Century Token Coinage of Great Britain, The Channel Islands, and the Isle of Man (1904). Described by Davies as “This pattern piece is of fine workmanship; and was presented by the artist to Sir George Chetwynd. In Mr. Norman’s cabinet”. Reverse of the book, page labelled as Plate K, no. 7 – this piece illustrated.

More recently plated on page 95 of Paul & Bente Withers British Copper Tokens 1811-1820 (1999). This piece, number 574, the Withers plate token, photographed with permission of A.H. Baldwin and Sons Ltd, where the F.S. Cokayne Collection resided
.