Watch List notes:

BRITISH 18TH CENTURY TOKENS, WALES, Parys Mine Company,Thomas Williams, (1737-1802), attorney and businessman, part owner and managing partner of the Parys and Mona Mine Companies of Anglesey, Copper Penny, 1788, obv Druid's head left within thin oak wreath and outer border of acorns, twenty-five acorns in wreath, twelve to left and thirteen to right, single and double acorns in wreath, long stem to last leaf on left, which springs from side of leaf, acorn just above point of hood, four acorns at tie, rev P M Co cypher, 1788, WE PROMISE TO PAY THE BEARER ONE PENNY around within a border of acorns, short-topped P of PMCo terminates to left of first ascending stroke of M, straight 1 and 7, 1 under first limb of second N of PENNY, second 8 under W of WE, apex of second ascender of M of PMCo points to right of centre of second 8, upper loop of C of PMCo points just to left of foot of P of PROMISE, edge ON DEMAND IN LONDON LIVERPOOL & ANGLESEY (D&H Anglesey 221, this token illustrated). Small amount of pigment remaining on the edge, small spot, otherwise good extremely fine with faded colour remaining, exceptionally rare.

Williams effectively gained control of the entire operations of the Parys Mountain and, later, the Cornish Metal Company, giving him a near monopoly over the development and production of copper and the copper trade in Great Britain.

Estimate: £200-300