Sale: Triton VIII, Lot: 1819. Estimate $2000.  Closing Date: Monday, 10 January 2005.  Sold For $1200. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

TOKEN. Berkshire. AV 40 Shillings Token (10.37 gm, 12h). Dated 1812. PIGNORA CERTA PETIS DO PIGNORA CERTA("You ask for firm assurances, I give you firm assurances"), crowned bust of king Alfred left, with sceptre, ALFRED and 1812 below / 40 SHILLINGS BERKS TOKEN STANDD GOLD 6 DWTS 18 GR READING- PAYABLE IN BK NOTES A 6S THE DWT BY I.B.MONCK ESQRE. Hand reeded edge. Davis 1; Seaby, Tokens 1. Near VF. Extremely rare. ($2000)

J. Berkeley Monck's 40 shilling piece and Younge & Wilson's half guinea of Sheffield in Yorkshire are the only regular gold issues of the 19th century private token series. It is unlikely that they circulated to any extent, and the Berkeley tokens were selling for £5 shortly after release. The even wear on this specimen suggests it was kept as a treasured pocket piece for many years.