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Auction: 8017 - Important British 18th Century Tokens
Lot: 18

Cheshire, Macclesfield, Halfpenny, bust of Charles Roe to right, rev. man seated, writing at table on which rest tankard, tobacco pipe and inkwell; to his right a woman seated, holding candle; a standing figure in a gown behind the writer places a fool´s cap with ass´s ears upon his head; at the right a three-legged table supporting a jug, TAKE THIS IOHN NOTT WEAR IT around, edge PAYABLE AT MACCLESFIELD etc. (DH.60 and note, this specimen illustrated), obverse off-centre, three scratches in front of Roe´s chin and other minor damage on each side, otherwise nearly extremely fine, unique Estimate £ 3,000-4,000 PROVENANCE: Hamer, Glendining, 26-28 November 1930, lot 48 The reverse die is known from only one other specimen (DH. Warwickshire 333). John Nott was the pseudonym of a critic of Dr John Priestley, shown standing with the fool´´s cap. Priestley, a distinguished scientist, linguist and religious minister, was unpopular due to his support of the principles of the French Revolution. He suffered serious damage to his property and possessions in riots after a dinner held by the Constitutional Society of Birmingham, of which he was an influential member, on the occasion of the second anniversary in July 1791 of the revolution in France. See also lot 138

Sold for
£4,000