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Auction: 21124 - Spink Numismatic e-Circular 9: British and World Coins & Commemorative Medals
Lot: 6093

Death of William Beckford, Lord Mayor of London, 1770, AE Memorial Medal, WM. BECKFORD ESQ. LORD. MAYOR OF LONDON., draped and with livery collar bust right, rev. TRUE TO HIS TRUST., Justice seated on books and holding scales, 1770 in exergue, 35mm (BHM 142), extremely fine

Provenance
Seaby, September 1967


William Beckford (1705-1770), was a politician and Lord Mayor of London, he was also a notable collector of coins. Born in Jamaica, he accrued a vast wealth from his family-owned 13 sugar plantations across 22,000 acres of land. During his lifetime he is estimated to have enslaved 3,000 Africans.

Domestically, Beckford held the position of Lord Mayor twice, in 1762 and 1769. Shortly before his death in March 1770, and following the release of John Wilkes, Beckford decorated his house with a large banner, which according to Horace Walpole bore the word 'LIBERTY' written in 3-foot-high (0.91 m) embroidered white letters. From a modern perspective one can lament the clear hypocracy of his politics and appreciate why in 2020, Beckford Primary elected to rename their West Hampstead School in light of his historic crimes.

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Sold for
£60

Starting price
£30