Watch List notes:

GREAT BRITAIN: AE farthing token, ND (1855-65), M-8326, Royal Artillery Canteen, Woolwich issue of Gregory Browne; field cannon with sponge and rammer at center and legend GREGORY BROWNE WINE MALT LIQUOR AND PROVISION MERCHANT around // diademed bust of Victoria to right with legend ROYAL ARTILLERY CANTEEN WOOLWICH, with engraver PINCHES below, plain edge, PCGS graded MS64 RB, From the hoard of about 70 unused examples ex Baldwin's vault. Gregory Browne was born in 1821 in Smithfield, London. In circa 1857, Gregory picked up a lucrative government contract when he took on the tenancy of the Army Camp Canteen on Woolwich Common. He and his staff were now successfully operating two separate military canteens in the town. In 1865 the Army decided to implement significant changes to the way it ran the R.A. Canteen at Woolwich. It appointed an internal committee of officers to run the canteen and organize the procurement of provisions to supply it. Food was to be sold at cost price to the troops while profits were to be retained on the sale of alcohol which was aimed at funding the canteen. Gregory Browne appears to have had a good working relationship with his employers. However, the army's decision to effectively take over the running of the R.A. Canteen forced him to resign his position as landlord of the R.A. Canteen in October of 1865. He continued to act as landlord of the Army Camp Canteen on Woolwich Common until at least 1881.

Estimate: 100-150 USD