Four Owners - 152 Years - A Wee 1855 Farthing
MacCrimmon
Posts: 7,058 ✭✭✭
I've always loved coins which are pedigreed if only for knowing where they've resided since the Mint Coiner sent them on their way to engage in the commerce of the country. Inasmuch as these little farthings did the bidding for the lowest echelon of British life, it's equally amazing that any survived unexchanged over and over for but a few wee loaves of bread, or an egg or two.
This 1855 farthing (BMC 1582) resided at least for a time at Rushton Hall which was owned at the time by William Capel Clarke. Now another intrigue of mine are these old British Treasure Houses. It also seems that Charles Dickens was a frequent guest of the Clark-Thornhills; well, at least he was a friend of Clara.
Well, as with the majority of these British great houses, the families eventually ran short of funds to meet taxes and the like, and the Clark-Thornhill Estate started to be liquidated in the 1930s. An original circular card which came with the coin has an inscription for a 1939 auction; Glendinings Auction House handled their disposition in January of 1939 where the noted collector Dr. E. A. Johnstone purchased the coin. For 34 years the good doctor enjoyed this farthing and it then passed to Colin Cooke in 1973. Colin held this coin for another 30+ year stint until his untimely death a few years ago.
Well, this wee poor church mus would also do well to own this fine little bit of copper for 30+ years. Somehow, I think I owe it to Queen Victoria's memory.
Slainte Mhath,
MacCrimmon
This 1855 farthing (BMC 1582) resided at least for a time at Rushton Hall which was owned at the time by William Capel Clarke. Now another intrigue of mine are these old British Treasure Houses. It also seems that Charles Dickens was a frequent guest of the Clark-Thornhills; well, at least he was a friend of Clara.
Well, as with the majority of these British great houses, the families eventually ran short of funds to meet taxes and the like, and the Clark-Thornhill Estate started to be liquidated in the 1930s. An original circular card which came with the coin has an inscription for a 1939 auction; Glendinings Auction House handled their disposition in January of 1939 where the noted collector Dr. E. A. Johnstone purchased the coin. For 34 years the good doctor enjoyed this farthing and it then passed to Colin Cooke in 1973. Colin held this coin for another 30+ year stint until his untimely death a few years ago.
Well, this wee poor church mus would also do well to own this fine little bit of copper for 30+ years. Somehow, I think I owe it to Queen Victoria's memory.
Slainte Mhath,
MacCrimmon
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Who knows, it may have travelled a bit more. The Heaton Mint struck coppers from 1853-55 for Ireland.
One day I might work out if the different obverse types show where they were minted.
Nice partner for your 1853/2.
Viewing Colin's collection your eye was rather drawn by the 1860's, 1864 farthings at this stage.
Good to know it has a safe home.
Teg
Dr J
My omnicoin collection (or how my coin photography has progressed)
http://bit.ly/bxi7py
<< <i>Top coin, top pedigree.
Who knows, it may have travelled a bit more. The Heaton Mint struck coppers from 1853-55 for Ireland.
One day I might work out if the different obverse types show where they were minted.
Nice partner for your 1853/2.
Viewing Colin's collection your eye was rather drawn by the 1860's, 1864 farthings at this stage.
Good to know it has a safe home.
Teg >>
Thanks all for the nice comments. By all means Teg, let us know if you find some data which dissiminates the different obverses. It seems there are still small caches turning up which have been essentially quarantined since minting, e.g., an old spinster whose 3rd great grandfather was a mint worker at Heaton, and the like.
As to Colin's farthings, I was just looking for really superb pieces. The one major problem was, so were a lot of other collectors.
I probably had entered what I thought were strong bids on a dozen other farthings only to see them continually vaporize. That 1839 with 2 prongs (Lot 231) was one which was tough to let go. And I'll be second guessing the 1844 & 1849 for some time to come.
But I'm happy nonetheless with those coins which I did secure. Hopefully, I'll still be on the hunt for another 30 years.
And yes, it is the "WW raised" variety (BMC 1582).