D. Eccleston - Boulton - Museum Gallery

This is a significant numismatic item in that its important to the Matthew Boulton saga of coinage advancements. It was Boulton's 'ideal' coin design that was to help prevent the forgery prevalent at that time. The broad raised border with incuse lettering was thought to be beyond the capabilities of the forgers. The design (by Ponthon) was accompanied by a lower relief below the rims. This design experiment was first used with this Lancaster half penny but went on to be used with the beautiful Madras Presidency issues of 1794 and the famous 'Cartwheel' pence and two-pence issues for the British in 1797 and the Isle of Man. Prime examples of all of those have been sought out to present here in the Moneta Museum. From the ton of copper Eccleston shipped to Soho 109,247 pieces were struck.
The subject, Daniel Eccleston, has a very interesting story too. He published a notice of his own death and then circulated a letter that was supposed to have been written from beyond the grave! The coining charges amounted to 57 Pounds but Eccleston never fully paid Boulton for his services. Instead he tried to make a payment with a dozen coconuts. Over a period of 25 years, or so, he did manage to reduce his debt by 40 Pounds, leaving the rest unpaid until his '2nd' death.
I'll have an article posted here soon about this famous eccentric that has ties to America, G. Washington and T. Jefferson.
D&H #58, a variety where the dot after 'COMMERCE' has been worn off of the die through polishing is twice as available as D&H 57 with the dot present. Specimens are available struck in proof.

VIEW & DOWNLOAD:
For a description & history of die varieties see:
Eccleston Lancashire Halfpenny - Leather: [ link ]

An excellent article from "The Conder Token Collectors Journal" Vol. 10 (Dec. 1998) by Richard Doty is available at this: [ link ]