Description
ND Stirlingshire, Fintry, Culcreuch Mill, Thomas Whyte C/M 1794 Eccleston Token, Davis 116, Scott 83.5
A nice example of this rare countermark which will appeal to collectors in several fields. The countermark has been applied to a 1794 Daniel Eccleston halfpenny token of Lancaster (Lancashire D&H 57-8) for a cotton mill in Fintry, Stirlingshire, Scotland. The mill was owned by Peter Spiers but was not a commercial success and finally closed in 1864. It is not known if Thomas Whyte was manager of the works or perhaps the local truck shop for which the tokens were intended.
As a countermarked type this token is listed in Davis, Nineteenth Century Token Coinage as D.116 and in Scott, British Countermarks on Copper & Bronze Coins as Scott 83.5. This example is ex W Clarke Collection, Noonans, 3/3/26, lot 204 and previously W J Noble Collection, Noble Numismatics, 7/7/1998, lot 1619, and W Allen Collection, Spink,14/3 1984, lot 124 (from H Brown 12/1980). Presented with Clarke’s tickets and envelope.
I would grade the host Poor (Sheldon AG3) and the countermarks Good Fine (VF35) but I have provided high-resolution close up photos so you can decide on a grade for yourself.
For uncertified coins I provide a grading opinion using both the UK descriptive system and the Sheldon scale (based on ANA Grading Standards and/or PCGS Photograde) which will be better known to my US customers. I offer a grading opinion as a courtesy, but please examine the high resolution close up photos carefully and decide on a grade for yourself.
