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Sale 46
The Millennia Collection
| Lot |
Photo |
Description |
Realized |
Lot 896 |
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Gold Coast (African). Ackey, 1796. Dav-35; KM-6. Plain edge. 15.86 grams. George III, 1760-1820. Crowned royal cipher of George within laurel wreath, date divided by crown. Reverse: Arms of the Company of Merchants Trading to Africa: divided oval cartouche bearing cornucopia, beehive, and sailing ship left, the whole surmounted by elephant with bannered turret on back; native supporters on either side, one with feathered crown and holding bow, the other with elephant-skin headdress and holding scorpion(?); FREE TRADE TO AFRICA BY ACT OF PARLIAMENT 1750. Sharply and fully struck, with mirror fields. Deep old toning - iridescent and multicolored when reflected. Rare and historical, among the finest known. The reverse design rendered with extraordinary elegance. NGC graded MS-64.
The Gold Coast is the earlier name given to modern day Ghana. In 1957, with independence, Ghana formally gave up the Gold Coast title. The Portuguese, the first western settlers of the area, applied the name for the large amounts of gold found in the area. The British, who didn't arrive until late in the 18th century, quickly made up for lost time by throwing the other colonial powers out.
Estimated Value $3,000 - 4,000.
View details and enlarged photos
| Realized
$8,913 |
Lot 897 |
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Gold Coast (African). Ackey, 1818. Dav-36; KM-9. 13.65 grams. George III, 1760-1820. Laureate head of George right, beneath neck, 1 ACKEY TRADE. Reverse: Arms of the Company of Merchants Trading to Africa: divided oval cartouche bearing cornucopia, beehive, and sailing ship left, the whole surmounted by elephant with bannered turret; native supporters on either side, one with feathered crown and holding bow, the other with elephant shin headdress and holding scorpion(?), mask below; FREE TRADE TO AFRICA BY ACT OF PARLIAMENT 1750. Reeded edge. Sharp, proof-like strike, with satiny devices on reflective fields. A few light marks scattered throughout the fields barely discernable under the light toning. Scarce and historical. Rare, only 1,085 pieces struck. NGC graded Proof 64.
In 1750 the African Company of Merchants was formed in England for the purpose of trade with the African coast and in 1796 the company struck a series of silver coins for use in the Gold Coast. The trading unit was called an "Ackey," probably named after a large ethnic group called the Akan, who had come into prominence in the previous century. They were the main miners and purveyors of gold in the Ivory Coast and Ghana area, with much of their commerce, and even their legal payments, actually being based on a gold standard.
This trade coin series consisted of the ackey, a half and a quarter ackey, plus a one takoe, or eighth ackey. In 1818 the type was altered to bear the head of George III on the obverse with his titles around.
The original company that held the English monopoly to the African trade was the Royal African Company, which became foremostly a slave trading company, and was headquartered at Cape Coast Castle (the former Swedish settlement/fort of Carolusborg). In 1750, parliament created the Company of Merchants Trading to Africa to replace the Royal African Company. By means of a policy of protected free trade this company was intended to greatly expand England's African commerce. However, different to the previously chartered entity, the Company of Merchants was not allowed to trade in slaves as a corporate entity, but its officers and servants could in engage in such enterprise as private individuals. Thus while not trafficking in slaves per se, the Company's job basically evolved into maintaining a coastal trading infrastructure which on the one hand furthered its trading capabilities but on the other could still be utilized by English slavers.
Estimated Value $1,500 - 2,000.
Illustrated in Money of The World, coin 132.
View details and enlarged photos
| Realized
$5,290 |
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