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Images courtesy of Ira
& Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles
Recent appearances:
PCGS Proof-64 Red & Brown (illustrated above). Ex - Fairchild
Family Trust - Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles "The
Fairchild Family Trust Collection" Sale, May 28-30, 2001, Lot 63,
"PCGS Proof-63 Red & Brown", sold for $18,975.00 -
Paul Arthur Norris - Ex - Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins
& Collectibles, Inc.'s "Pre-Long Beach Sale", September 23
& 24, 2002, Lot 87, illustrated, where it was described as follows:
"PCGS graded Proof 64 Red and Brown. This is the finest
graded by PCGS in Red and Brown (there are no Red examples graded)
according to their online report (July 11, 2002). The only other example
is a higher technical grade of PR-65, but that example is
"Brown" instead of Red and Brown as seen here. With copper, it
is more desirable to have as much original red as possible and this
example has substantial red remaining. We do note some minor spotting,
expected on a coin of this age, the most evident on the B of BY on the
reverse. The devices are well frosted, and the fields fully mirrored,
which combined produces contrast that any true collector will fall in love
with. It is likely that less than 10 are known, although a review of
several sales failed to match this specimen to a previous auction
appearance, this is not the Garrett, Norweb, Picker, Robison, Walter,
Pittman or Roper specimen. Regardless, this is magnificent coin that
boasts a full strike, glorious surfaces and color, and extreme rarity.
Further, it is an historically relevant issue, proposed as a circulating
coin for Myddelton's colony in Kentucky. The tokens were struck by Matthew
Boulton with dies almost certainly engraved by Conrad Küchler.
Extensive research on the Myddelton tokens was done by Richard Margolis
and his findings were published in The Colonial Newsletter in
December 1999, a copy of which is available for the purchaser of this
copper or the silver Myddelton token in this auction. The copper specimens
were the intended issue, but for some reason a number of silver pieces
(thought to have been 53) were struck first by Boulton on March 8, 1796.
Of the copper specimens, Boulton's Medal Ledger shows only 11 were
produced from the entire ledger period 1793-1816 (Margolis). Myddelton was
preparing to leave for Kentucky in early March of that year, and had
intended to take with him at least a ton (several thousand) of these
copper tokens. However, the hand of fate intervened days before he was to
board ship and Myddelton ended up in Newgate Prison as soon as these
tokens were ordered from Boulton, charged and convicted with trying to
hire a talented workmen from England for employment outside England,
violating a 1783 statute prohibiting such acts. Boulton apparently ended
up with most of the silver examples he struck, and made a very small
number of copper tokens which he kept secret lest he be dragged into
Myddelton's legal problems.
In a letter from Philip Parry Price Myddelton to Matthew Boulton (Margolis
article) dated January 24, 1796, Myddelton revises his request for the
dies and coinage for his proposed settlement in Kentucky starting with the
reverse as follows "...Britannia with her head pendant, her spear
reversed and leaning on her shield, before her the demons of Discord and
tyranny treading under foot the Emblems of Liberty and justice. Legend
"Payable by P.P.P. Myddelton". On the obverse "the figure
of Liberty holding out her hand to welcome two little genii presented to
her by Hope, at the feet of the figure of Liberty the Emblems of peace and
Plenty. Legend "British Settlement Kentucky 1796"." Most of
these elements were employed by Kücher and his engraving represents one
of the pinnacle moments of 18th century die engraving. Tragically,
Myddelton's dream of floating a colony in Kentucky was capsized when he
was arrested for the crimes mentioned, and spent the next three and a half
years mouldering in Newgate Prison. Only a handful of the copper tokens
remain to memorialize Myddelton's dream of a freer and more just world an
ocean away from his prison confines. One of the most beautiful of all
colonial issues and of extreme rarity and importance to all numismatists.
Here is a partial list of auction appearances of copper examples
presented in no particular order of condition, as all are
"Proof", with thanks to Richard Margolis as noted above, with
some duplication likely as specimens reappear at auction. 1). This coin.
The Paul Arthur Norris collection and purchased from our Fairchild Family
Trust Collection, May 28, 2001, lot 63 at $18,975. 2). ANS ex Norweb. 3).
Numismatic Gallery 5-10-53 sale, Bowers and Merena's Norweb Sale,
10-13-87:1401. 4). Stack's Roper Sale 12-9-83:350. 5). Stack's Auction '83
session, 7-29-83:515 to John Whitney Walter, Stack's Walter Sale
5-4-99:1704. 6). Ellsworth/Garrett, Bowers and Ruddy's Garrett Sale,
10-2-80:284. 7). Stack's Richard Picker Sale, 10-24-84:284. 8). David
Aker's Pittman Sale 10-21-97:121 at $13,750.
"Very Choice
Proof". Ex - A.H. Baldwin & Son, March 1954, sold for
roughly $52.00 - John Jay
Pittman - David Akers Numismatics, Inc. "John Jay Pittman Collection
- Part One", October 21-23, 1997, Lot 121, illustrated, "Breen
1074, 159.4 grains. Plain edge...only 8-10 pieces known.",
sold for $13,750.00
Sources and/or
recommended reading:
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