DNW IAN SAWDEN COLLECTION OF BRITISH COINS

   

Two gold halfpennies dating from the late 18th century from the important Soho Mint, which was created by Matthew Boulton in 1788 in his Manufactory in Handsworth, West Midlands are both expected to fetch £20,000-26,000 when sold by international coins, medals, banknotes and jewellery specialists Dix Noonan Webb on Tuesday, October 12, 2012. From the Ian Sawden Collection of British Coins, the Collection is expected to fetch more than £200,000. Comprising 208 coins spanning eight monarchs from George I to George VI (1727-1952), the majority of the coins are from the reigns of George III and Queen Victoria.

   

Peter Preston-Morley, Head of Coin Department at Dix Noonan Webb, comments: We are very pleased to be offering this Collection which reflects the strength of the Manufactory of Matthew Boulton and the coins struck from Boulton dies by the medalist W.J. Taylor in the mid 19th century.

   

A selection of 1788, 1797 and 1799 coinage that was produced in the Soho Mint, which was created by Matthew Boulton in 1788 in his Soho Manufactory in Handsworth, West Midlands, England highlight the sale. A 1797 Cartwheel proof gold Penny from the reign of George III (1760-1820) that is decorated with a laureate bust wearing a wreath with 10 leaves is estimated at £20,000-26,000. This coin was once in the Collection of King Farouk and is believed that only one other is known to exist. A spectacular and rare 1788 Pattern gold Halfpenny depicting Britannia seated with a spear is also estimated at £20,000-26,000.

   

From the reign of Queens Victoria (1837-1901) is an extremely rare Proof Florin dating from 1862. This is one of two in the sale and this example is estimated at £5,000-7,000, while carrying a similar estimate is a Proof Florin dating from 1848 – one of 12 examples in the sale. From the reign of Queen Victoria (1837-1901), this is a very rare coin.

Ian Sawden was born in the UK and began by collecting miscellaneous coins, mostly Victorian bun pennies which were generally in very worn condition. He moved overseas in 1976, that collection was disposed of and collecting coins was forgotten as there were more interesting activities to occupy the day.

His interest was rekindled in 2006 when, walking down a street in Toronto, he spotted a Cartwheel twopence in the window of a dealer and bought it. This lead to Ian researching the history of the Soho coinage and the spark was lit. From that chance encounter, he began collecting a variety of coinage, aiming for quality rather than quantity. Apart from George III he developed a particular interest in the coinage of William IV and the young head issues of Victoria, attracted by their exquisite engraving. Buying a copy of Charles Wilson Peck's English Copper, Tin and Bronze Coins in the British Museum 1558-1958 allowed him to identify groups of coins and he discovered the many intriguing patterns to be found: a new focus had arrived.

As the collection grew Ian decided to reduce its scope and concentrate on certain themes, such as pennies and halfpence of George III, evidenced by the range of Soho coinage in this catalogue. He also expanded the scope of the collection to focus on key dates of different denominations and the silver coinage, particularly florins.

For more information, see:
https://www.dnw.co.uk/

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