Rare Benjamin Nightingale’s London (Middlesex) bronze halfpenny token dated 1843. Obverse: Woman holding a cornucopia from which coins are falling, seated in front of an open coin cabinet with books behind and legend: “VILIUS EST ARGENTUM AURO, VIRTUTIBUS AURUM” which translates as: “Silver is of less value than gold, gold than virtue”. Reverse: “BN” monogram in script in centre with legend: “BENJAMIN NIGHTINGALE LONDON * PRIVATE TOKEN * 1843”. Plain edge. Listed in Bell's “Tradesmen's Tickets and Private Tokens 1785-1819” as “R-RARE” with only seventy-two of these bronze pieces struck. Benjamin Nightingale was a wine and spirit merchant with a keen interest in coins and was a member of the Numismatic Society of London. Interesting and topical coin for collectors in nice collectable condition, see photograph. Bell Middlesex No: A3. Diameter 30mm. EF-. (↑↑) £75.00 e-mail David at d-stuart@d-stuart.demon.co.uk to order. |