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Auction: 24123 - British and World Coins and Medals featuring the Pritchard Collection of 18th Century Provincial Tokens and Commemorative Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 906

WORCESTERSHIRE, Dudley, Edward Davies, Skidmore's Penny, 1797, by Jacobs, PART OF DUDLEY PRIORY, ruins of Dudley Priory, rev. E'' DAVIES • NAIL • FACTORY • DUDLEY •, ED cypher within wreath, I PROMISE TO PAY ON DEMAND THE BEARER ONE PENNY on edge, 12h, 243.62g (D&H 3), speckled brown toning over red surfaces, lustrous, good extremely fine

The Pritchard Collection of 18th Century Provincial Tokens and Commemorative Medals

Hamer in his 1906 British Numismatic Journal article addresses the rare tokens believed to have been issued by Edward Davies, a nail-factor, based in Dudley. Hamer notes that these were most likely struck as private tokens rather than being intended for circulation for three reasons. The first, they were issued in the same year that the government issued the copper coinage of 1797. Secondly, they never appear in worn or circulated condition and finally, Hamer states 'they are rare tokens'.

He concludes; 'The name of Edward Davis appears in The Universal British Directory, 1790, as an ironmonger; and in The Commercial Directory of 1818-1820, published by James Pigot, an entry under the heading of "Nail Ironmongers and Manufacturers" is "Edw. Davis and Sons, King St". They were also makers of vices and chains. Otherwise, I should have looked upon these tokens as being of the class made for sale to collectors. C. Pye did not include them in his list, and if they have been issued for currency I think they would have appeared there. They are a doubtful quantity, and as such I must leave them.'


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Sold for
£180

Starting price
£70