Tokens from the Late David Griffiths Collection

Anglesey, [Liverpool], Westwood’s Pennies imitating the Parys Mine series for Samuel Solomon, 1788 [struck 1796] (2), druid’s head encircled by wreath with 24 acorns, revs. pms cypher, edges on demand in london liverpool or anglesey, 23.56g/6h, 22.96g/6h (both DH 168) [2]. First virtually as struck and attractively patinated, second about extremely fine £100-150

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Tokens from the Late David Griffiths Collection.

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Provenance: *First bt S.E. Schwer October 1980; second L. Lowe Collection, Glendining Auction, 2 February 1983, lot 195 (part) [from Seaby 1979].

The Anglesey pennies dated 1788 with pms cypher, imitating the regular issues of the Parys Mine Co, was struck by John Westwood Jr in 1796 to the order of Samuel Solomon (1745-1819), an eccentric Irish-born Jewish doctor resident in Tythebarn street, Liverpool, who had created a tonic cordial called the ‘Balm of Gilead’, said to cure all ills. Westwood obtained the coining business after Matthew Boulton declined it. The cypher was said to represent the initials of Potion Maker Solomon (Hawker, TCSB 9, pp. 14-17).