They comprise British coins from the late Anglo-Saxon period to the present days amassed by Roy Ince (1942-2023), a member of the Derbyshire Numismatic Society for many years, and the more specialised collection of George III copper coins amassed by Philip Richardson.
From the Ince collection is a rare Charles I octagonal shilling issued at Pontefract during the civil war (estimate £2000-2600).
Pontefract Castle was taken for the king at the beginning of June 1648, in the hope that it would act as a base for a Royalist revival. It held out throughout the autumn and winter of 1648-9 but finally fell at the end of March 1649. Despite being one of the largest in England, it was then systematically demolished within a matter of weeks.
From the Richardson of George III ‘copper’ coins is this specimen pattern halfpenny made in silver at the Soho Mint, Birmingham, in 1795. The design is by CH Küchler whose mark (a pellet to left of a butt of a spear) appears on the reverse. A great rarity in ‘virtually as struck’ condition, it is guided at £3000-4000.
