Wow, 2023 was a particularly productive numismatic year. Not only did I attend FUN for the first time, but I also took the opportunity to attend the Token Congress after spending a few days exploring all that London had to offer. Although I did not buy much, I made several new friends and thoroughly enjoyed the varied lectures while sipping on a pint of true English ale. In sum, I added well north of a hundred new pieces to my collection. Of those, 11 came from the Watt Jr. Collection, and 3 resided in the Boulton family holdings. There is something very cool about owning a piece that once belonged to the proprietors of the Soho Mint for nearly two centuries before making its way to the market. I am pushing the boundaries of brevity, but since I have not posted here much lately, I opted to share my top 30 acquisitions from 2023. These are presented in the order in which I purchased them. Please note that in almost every instance, the marks you see in the photo are on the holder. Of the 30 pieces below, only 4 were not struck at the Soho Mint. Can you figure out which ones? 1803 Ireland Wexford Enniscorthy Halfpenny – Ex. James Watt Jr. – NGC PF-66 BN Bronzed 1791 England Hampshire Portsmouth Halfpenny – Ex. Boulton Family – NGC MS-63 BN 1803 Madras 1 Cash Bronzed Proof - Ex. Puddester Collection – NGC PF-65 BN 1792 France 5 Sol Maz-145 - PCGS MS-64 BN I consider the following three coins to be a single purchase. All of the holders are very scuffed. 1796 African Gold Coast Bronzed Proof Ackey - Ex. James Watt Jr. - NGC PF-66 BN 1796 African Gold Coast Bronzed Proof Quarter Ackey – Ex. James Watt Jr. – NGC PF-67 BN 1796 African Gold Coast Bronzed Proof Tackoe - Ex. James Watt Jr. NGC PF-67 BN Here is the entire set in a single image:
1822 Argentina Decimo Pattern - NGC PF-65 BN 1806 Bahamas Penny - NGC PF-65 BN (Very scuffed holder) 1796 Scotland Angusshire Dundee Bronzed Proof Halfpenny D&H 12 – Ex. James Watt Jr. – NGC PF-65 BN 1796 England Token Cornwall Penryn Bronzed Proof Halfpenny D&H 4 – Ex. Boulton Family 1794 Scotland Invernesshire Inverness Bronzed Proof Halfpenny D&H 2a – Ex. James Watt Jr. – NGC PF-63 BN 1793 Scotland Invernesshire Inverness Halfpenny D&H 1b – Ex. James Watt Jr. – NGC MS-63 RB 1800 George III Preserved from Assassination Medal (with shells) – NGC MS-66BN (Very scuffed holder) 1796 Scotland Angusshire Dundee Halfpenny Bronzed Proof D&H 13 – PCGS PR-64BN 1791 Scotland Lanarkshire Glasgow Halfpenny D&H 2 (Coin Alignment) – Ex. James Watt Jr. 1791 Scotland Lanarkshire Glasgow Halfpenny D&H 2 (Medal Alignment) – Ex. James Watt Jr.
1791 England Cornwall County Bronzed Proof Halfpenny D&H 2 – Ex. Boulton Family 1790 Scotland Lothian Edinburgh Hutchison's Halfpenny D&H 24 – Ex. James Watt Jr. – NGC MS-64 RB 1773 Virginia Halfpenny 1805 Boulton's Trafalgar Medal Struck in Copper – Presentation Piece 1803 Boydell’s Shakespeare’s Works Medal – Struck in Copper 1823 Ireland Proof Halfpenny - PCGS PR-64+ BN 1792 France 5 Sol Maz-150 - PCGS SP-64 BN 1792 France 5 Sol Maz-150 - PCGS MS-64 BN 1782 Ireland Halfpenny – NGC MS-66 BN
1805 Ireland Penny Plain Edge Restrike – Ex. James Watt Jr. - NGC PF-65 BN (Very scuffed holder) 1805 Ireland Gilt Proof Halfpenny
1805 Bank of Ireland 10 Pence Token - Ex. James Watt Jr. – NGC MS-65 (Very Scuffed holder) 1792 France 2 Sol Maz-157 - NGC MS-63+ BN PL (These are NGC's images)
Good HEAVENS, man! You've been busy! What an absolutely STUNNING array! I love Soho proofs. There is too much here for me to pick any particular favorite, though I will say that any of the above I would be proud to have in my collection! It is also impressive to see them with their original shells and handwritten labels. Here is my sole similar piece:
I see three French ones. There's an Argentine pattern, but I have a hunch that one was struck at Soho. I'll venture a wild guess that it's the three French pieces and the Virginia halfpenny? (The latter is quite amazing, BTW. They all are. I wasn't exaggerating when I said I would be proud to own any of them.)
That is a very nice example of an 1805 halfpenny! I obviously have a soft spot for all things Soho, but I have always been most fond of the Irish issues. I will give others a chance to reply before I address your second comment.
I too am fond of the Irish pieces, being of Irish descent. In the past I've been partial to the gilt ones, but went with a bronzed proof this time. (Your blue 1823 halfpenny is amazing.)
It is a nice match for the 1822 that I use as my avatar. I am elated that I had the opportunity to add the 1823.
Beautifull!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for sharing/ up till then/ I knew nothing about tese coins/ learned a lot! John
