Pattern Farthing, by D. Ramage, in copper, laureate and draped bust left, rev. crowned arms, CHARITIE AND CHANGE, edge plain, 3.76g/6h (Cooke –; BMC 390; S 3230). A great rarity.

From the Ronald Hansen Collection, ex Bridgewater House Collection, Sotheby Auction, 15-16 June 1972, lot 446; with G. Hearn; with Spink 1983; T. Aitken Collection [acquired 1990]; bt C.D. Cooke February 1997. Images courtesy of DNW.

This coin spent a number of years in trade between being acquired, along with its twin, by Geoffrey Hearn at the Bridgewater House sale, before its purchase by the Canadian collector Dr Terry Aitken in 1990 for the then equivalent of £6,900. The Aitken collection was purchased in its entirety by Colin Cooke in 1996. At the time of his death in 2005 Cooke would appear not to have had a specimen in his own private collection. It was sold with a wallet of related correspondence from Colin Cooke and others.



S.3227A, Halfcrown, 1658 - Oliver Cromwell, Halfcrown, 1658 (Lessen I26; ESC 252 [447]; S 3227A). From the Sutton Coldfield Collection, ex P. Carlbom Collection, Spink Auction 212, 28-9 March 2012, lot 970. Images courtesy of DNW.