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Auction: 22007 - British and World Coins and Commemorative Medals Autumn Auction
Lot: 676

Edward VII (1901-1910), Trial for the Penny, 1902, in brass alloy, by Kings Norton Metal Company, Birmingham, bare head right, within raised inner circle and outer border of linked concentric circles, no legend, rev. KINGS NORTON METAL CO L.D 1902 around concentric geometric patterns, KNM monogram at centre, toothed denticles, edge plain, 9.82g, 12h (Tansley 383-384; LCA 167, 1 December 2019, lot 889), softness to hair, otherwise about extremely fine, an excessively rare proposed coinage trial, with only three seen in commerce, an important numismatic heirloom from the shortlived commission of the King's Norton Mint

The Kings Norton Metal Company, a private mint in Birmingham, is best known for its striking of King George V Pennies in 1912, 1918 and 1919, and more widely had, as one of its first contracts in the coinage business, a commission to supply blanks for British farthings, halfpence and pennies in 1912 and 1913. The existence of this and the following piece demonstrates clearly that the company had plans for the British coinage at least a decade earlier following the accession of King Edward VII. The Royal Mint Museum houses archives that confirm that in 1902, the company informed the Royal Mint that they had installed a coining plant and were willing to supply the Mint with coins and blanks. Evidently this trial was struck in preparation for that business

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Sold for
£600

Starting price
£350