Watch List notes:

British Medals, The Royal Mint, The Hon. Sir Charles William Freemantle, KCB (1834-1914), Deputy Master, letter dated 22 June 1887, written on Royal Mint paper, to an unknown recipient following his, the recipient's, appointment as a CB in the Jubilee honours, published the previous day; "My dear C.B. Let me congratulate you....", and being somewhat sour that he himself received nothing, before referring to the new Jubilee coinage, "Meanwhile I am getting pretty well abused about the new coinage, but I bow to the storm, which may perhaps be only a nine days' wonder. The heads and all that surrounds it are of course the work of H.M.G.M. & Boehm, & were inevitable.", in good order and a fascinating insight; sold with a printed coin dealer's list by H. R. Garbutt of Derby, dated November 1880, in facsimile handwriting. Prices for ancient and English coins start at 2/-, with the top end including from Syracuse, "an extremely fine & Perfect Tetradrachm ... 32/"; and George I "Set of Crown to Penny – 35/-" , 20 x 15 ins., folded in 4, split in centre fold and other minor tears, a fascinating record
Freemantle served as Deputy Master, 1868-1894 and duly received his share of honours. He also served a director of the Suez Canal Company. The letter expresses the public's rejection of Boehm's portrait, which must have been distressing to Freemantle.
(80-120 GBP)