St. James's Auctions
Auction 74 12-13 Apr 2023
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Numismatics: Thomas Snelling (1712-1773), Numismatist and Antiquarian, death, pewter medal, 1773, by G. Rawle (?), draped bust of Snelling r., signed with a cursive R, THOMAS SNELLING ANGL, rev. legend within ornamental cartouche, NUMISMATUM EXPLORATOR ..., 40.5mm. (BHM.178, and note; also note vol. III, p. 302; BDM V, 38), good very fine, scarce
Thomas Snelling, author of various numismatic publications, had retail premises in Fleet Street from where he sold coins and medals.
The medal could perhaps, be a trial, with the abbreviated ANGL on the obverse and the use of U's rather than V's in the reverse legend, whilst additionally, some letters on the reverse are weak to the point of near invisibility. The youthful portrait and the Dassier-like cartouche suggest the medal dies may have dated from the 1740's, were never used at the time and were resurrected on Snelling's death. The attribution to Rawle was questioned by Col. Grant, however whoever the medallist, the medal is unpublished in pewter and considerably rarer than suggested in BHM.
Estimate: 70 - 100 GBP
Thomas Snelling, author of various numismatic publications, had retail premises in Fleet Street from where he sold coins and medals.
The medal could perhaps, be a trial, with the abbreviated ANGL on the obverse and the use of U's rather than V's in the reverse legend, whilst additionally, some letters on the reverse are weak to the point of near invisibility. The youthful portrait and the Dassier-like cartouche suggest the medal dies may have dated from the 1740's, were never used at the time and were resurrected on Snelling's death. The attribution to Rawle was questioned by Col. Grant, however whoever the medallist, the medal is unpublished in pewter and considerably rarer than suggested in BHM.
Estimate: 70 - 100 GBP