Rare Ayrshire “Halfcrown”

Triton XVII, Lot: 1515. Estimate $1500. Sold for $1900. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

SCOTLAND, Hanover. Ayrshire. George IV. As Prince of Wales and High Steward of Scotland, 1762-1820. AR “Halfcrown” (34mm, 16.65 g, 12h). Restrike of William Fullerton original designed by John Miton. Dated 1799 (Struck circa 1820-1838 by Matthew Young). GEORGIVS • P • S • S • C • D • J799, bareheaded, draped, and cuirassed bust of George IV, as Prince of Wales and High Steward of Scotland, left; script Milton below bust / • BR • L • PR • E REG • SC • PR ET • SEN COR • DUX, crowned cruciform coats-of-arms around radiate Garter badge; crowned plumes in alternate angles. Dykes, Token, p. 158 and cf. fig. 7 (for type); Stainton 31A; cf. D&H 5 (halfpenny); Davis, pp. 199-200. In NGC encapsulation graded MS 66. Deeply toned. Rare.

Named for the man who caused them to be struck, the various ‘Fullerton’ denominations were the product of engraver John Milton. The Colonel was a fellow of the Royal Societies of London and Edinburgh and a Scots enthusiast whose idea was to create patterns, then coins for circulation in Scotland, bearing the likeness of the future George IV as Prince of Wales and High Steward of Scotland. Although the Prince of Wales granted permission for the production of these coins, their use of the English royal arms as well as the effigy of the Prince in place of that of George III, raised objections, and their production was halted. As a result, only some proofs in copper were struck. Later, Matthew Young obtained the dies and produced silver restrikes. After his attempt at this coinage, Fullerton went on to become Governor of the Island of Trinidad, and no more was heard from him numismatically. Curiously, Milton had earlier created the dies for the 1788 Barbados Penny, showing a large pineapple on its reverse, today a most popular piece. He became an assistant engraver at the Royal Mint, this post lasting from 1789 until 1798. He was also medallist to the Prince of Wales, which likely explains his interest in working with Col. Fullerton on these famous patterns