Owner Comments:
Suffolk Ipswich DH #10
Obverse: A bust of Cardinal Wolsey facing left, wearing a cap without a tassel, a small script M below CARDINAL WOLSEY BORN AT IPSWICH 1741
Reverse: A view of a wall and an ancient gateway with the Royal Arms and Supporters above the arch JAS. CONDER . IPSWICH . 1795. Ex: WOLYS. GATE
Edge: Plain
Engraver: John Milton
Diesinker: John Milton
Issuer: James Conder
Rarity: Rare
James Conder (1761-1823) was a linen draper and an avid token collector, Tavern Street, Ipswich. He was the author of 'An Arrangement of Provincial Coins, Tokens and Medalets issued in Great Britain, Ireland and the Colonies'. His vast collection of tokens was sold by his son at Sotheby's in 1855.
Cardinal Wolsey (1473-1530) was an English archbishop, statesman and a cardinal of the Catholic Church. When Henry VIII became king of England in 1509 Wolsey became the King's almoner and became the controlling figure in all matters of state, eventually being named Lord Chancellor. In addition, Wolsey was the Archbishop of York and acted as the pope's legate.
After failing to negotiate the annulment of Henry's marriage to Catherine of Aragon Wolsey fell out of favor and was stripped of his government titles. He retreated to York but was recalled to London to face charges of treason, however he died on the way.
Wolsey founded a Collegiate school in Ipswich and the brick gateway on the reverse is all that was left of the institution. The Royal Arms and Supporters above the gateway are those of Henry VIII.
Atkins: Suffolk 9
Dix Noonan Webb Sale, 3 October 2018