Owner Comments:
Middlesex London and Westminster Series DH #86
Obverse: A view of Lambeth Palace from the river LAMBETH PALACE Ex: BT. 1557 with two croziers in saltire, surcharged with a mitre
Reverse: The Arms of London and Westminster impaled, the Crest a Civic Cap. The whole between crossed palm and laurel branches LONDON AND WESTMINSTER PENNY . 1797
Edge: I PROMISE TO PAY ON DEMAND THE BEARER ONE PENNY X
Diesinker: Benjamin Jacobs
Manufacturer: Thomas Prattent
Weight: 24.67g
Rarity: Rare
Lambeth Palace sits on the south bank of the river Thames opposite Westminster and is the seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury. The old palace was said to be built by Baldwin, the Archbishop of Canterbury, in the late 12th century. The oldest part of the present palace appears to have been rebuilt in the 13th century, the Lollard's Tower dates to the 15th century, other parts have been added or restored over time.
Thomas Prattent was a draftsman, engraver, printer and print seller in London. He was the co-author with William Denton of the “The Virtuoso’s Companion and Coin Collector’s Guide” and issued his own tokens. This is one from his series of ‘London and Westminster Pennies', 33 tokens that featured 32 well known London buildings - mainly Guild-halls, Hospitals and Palaces. He issued them in quite small numbers - plus the dies that James engraved were quite brittle and many broke before the required number was struck. It is possible that he made this series of pennies for the London coin dealer Matthew Denton. The coins were primarily sold to collectors but in these times of desperate need for copper change they often got into circulation alongside the regal copper and other genuine tradesmen's tokens.
Struck with a flawed obverse die.
Atkins: Middlesex 117
Davisson Sale #39, 1 April 2020
Ex: Mike Sussman
Ex: Davisson Sale #38, 27 February 2019
Ex: Dr. Harry Salyards
Ex: Jerry Bobbe