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Auction: 11024 - Ancient, English & Foreign Coins and Commemorative Medals
Lot: 260

Farming monopolies, 1800, white metal medal, 37mm., by ?J. Hancock, head left inscribed possession with distended mouth swallowing the earth around which take not what was made for all, above more warehouse room / wheat is but 22 / shillings a bushel/, below 1800 / in distress, around the uncharitable monopolizer will starve the poor, rev. eye of providence, well done above gloved hand giving charity to receiving hands, above which, the charitable hand, below, come all ye distressed (BHM I, 497), some spots, otherwise as struck, with original leaflet of issue Estimate £ 60-80 This medal was probably struck to express general concern over the great increase in the price of wheat as a result of a poor harvest in 1800. These concerns were considered in a number of reports by committees in the Houses of Parliament and this medal reflects the political tensions these issues generated at the time.

Sold for
£110