Andrew Howells has been associated with numismatics for many years as a dealer and a collector. His dealing activities meant he had a large assortment of material passing through his hands, as well as an extension network of other numismatists dealers, collectors and auction houses. From this position he has over his many years of activity put together a fine collection, of which selected pieces are offered here.
Crown 1718 8 over 6 Roses and Plumes QUINTO ESC 111A NEF the obverse with some adjustment lines, according to our archive database going back to 2003, this is the finest example we have offered
Halfcrown 1751 ESC 610 EF and attractively toned, with a small rim scratch by the A of A.T. Ex-Colin Adams collection Spink 2005 Lot 556, Very Rare in this grade
Halfcrown 1680 ESC 485 VF/GVF, with a pleasant underlying tone, Very rare and rated R3 by ESC, probably rarer in this grade, this example the finest we have offered, indeed our archive database going back to 2003 shows we have offered only two previous examples, the previous finest an example grading NVF/VF which realised £1638 inclusive of buyers premium in our June 2011 sale
Crown 1687 TERTIO ESC 78 GVF and attractively toned, boldly struck the obverse and free from adjustment lines as often found on this series, comes with three old Spink tickets, one stating 'bought Spink 21/5/51 £4'
Crown 1675 5 over 3 VICESIMO SEPTIMO ESC 50A Fine, Very rare in any grade, rated R3 by ESC, our archive database shows this is only the third, and thus far the finest example we have offered
Crown 1686 SECVNDO No Stops on Obverse ESC 77 GVF and attractively toned with some haymarking, the reverse with an excess metal cud before BR, Ex-Roderick Richardson
Halfcrown 1731 Roses and Plumes, also Q of QVINTO rotated 90 degrees clockwise, this type unlisted by ESC or Bull, About EF/EF with a most attractive tone and superb eye appeal, Ex-Spink Auction 1981, Ex-Porter February 1986, Ex-M.Rasmussen
Halfcrown 1743 Roses, U for V in GEORGIUS ESC 603A Choice EF/GEF with a most attractive grey tone with hints of blue and gold, the finest of this type we have offered
Halfcrown 1750 ESC 609 EF with a few very minor hairlines, rare in this grade, the reverse with some very small flecks of darker tone in one of the angles, lustrous and with a hint of golden tone, a most attractive example with considerable eye appeal
Sixpence 1688 Later shields, altered from Early shields ESC 1528 EF and with a most attractive grey tone, James II Sixpences seldom seen in this high grade
Crown 1822 TERTIO ESC 252 a prooflike early strike with an attractive and colourful tone AU/GEF, the reverse with a few contact marks, however a most attractive example with excellent eye appeal, Ex-Spink
Halfcrown 1663 V over S in CAROLVS ESC 457A, Bull 440 NVF and toned with some weakness of strike on the French shield, Very Rare rated R2 by ESC, Ex-Colin Adams Collection Spink 2005 Lot 293
Halfcrown 1666 the 6 overstruck, probably over an 8 (see footnote in 1992 ESC regarding Harrington Manville's opinions on this overdate) Elephant below bust ESC 462 VG/Fine nicely toned and of even appearance, pleasing for the grade, a collectable example of this very rare type, rated R3 by ESC: Collectors note:- there has been speculation over the underlying date figure for many years, and based on the evidence of this coin, there is strong evidence of the last figure being over an 8 as the lower loop and part of the upper loop of the underlying digit are clearly visible, an important coin
Shilling 1683 Fourth Bust ESC 1065 NVF/GF with a thin scratch on the bust, Very Rare, rated R2 by ESC, of just four examples we have offered since 2003, this is by far the finest: Cataloguers note, all Fourth Bust Charles II Shillings rare even in Fine grade
Shilling 1674 4 over 3 ESC 1039A GVF with an attractive grey tone and excellent eye appeal, the obverse with an old light scratch, Very Rare, Ex-M.Rasmussen, Ex-Ashby
Crown 1678 8 over 7 TRICESIMO ESC 55 Bold Fine, rated R2 by ESC, we note that since 2003 we have handled 6 examples, this is the finest we have offered
Halfcrown 1690 SECVNDO, as ESC 513 with second L in GVLIELMVS struck over another L, the underlying L with a curved base, About VF and Rare, Ex-Spink 1991, Ex-M.Rasmussen
Halfcrown 1821 ESC 628 UNC the obverse with small contact marks on the King's chin and a small rim nick by ANNO a sharply struck example with very few imperfections even under magnification, the reverse showing the intricate detail in full, even the vertical hatching to the Hearts in the Hanoverian shield, an excellent example of this short-lived series, one for the type collector
Crown 1696 Third Bust OCTAVO ESC 94, VF/About VF, Ex-Roderick Richardson, ESC states the same rarity as the first bust coin, but our archive database shows many times more examples of the First bust coin being offered, so probably rarer than stated by ESC
Halfcrown 1820 George III ESC 625 with some contact marks and light cabinet friction, otherwise Lustrous UNC and attractive, the fields with prooflike qualities and an underlying colourful tone
Shilling 1723 SSC French Arms at date ESC 1177 Good Fine and toned, a bold example of a normally poorly struck type, these usually found in grades Fine and below
Shilling 1708 Second Bust, Roses and Plumes ESC 1146 Good Fine, the reverse better, with a pleasant and subtle tone, Very Rare in any grade, rated R3 by ESC, only the second example we have offered since 2003
Sixpence 1697 First Bust, Small Crowns, E over B below bust ESC 1560A Near VF with deep grey tone, Extremely Rare, rated R4 by ESC, our archive database shows that this is only the second example, and easily the finest example we have offered since 2003
Sixpence 1820 Inverted 1 in date ESC 1639A NVF/GF lightly cleaned, Extremely Rare, only the second, and by far the finest example we have offered since 2003