An extremely rare Irish Proof or Pattern Halfpenny that was bought for the equivalent of $2 many years ago will be offered in a live/online auction of Coins and Historical Medals on Tuesday February 2, 2021 by International coins, medals, banknotes and jewellery specialists Dix Noonan Webb via their website www.dnw.co.uk.

From the collection of the late Eric Newman - an important numatist from the USA - the extremely fine copper coin dates from 1774 and portrays George III with long hair, with a harp on the reverse. It is estimated at £2,400-3,000.

The sale will also include the second and final part of Indian Historical Medals formed by Californian collector Michael Shaw. Comprising 42 lots, the subject matter relates to exhibitions; colleges; individuals through to visits to India by the Prince of Wales in 1875, 1889 and 1921 and the Government of India Cattle Show. Interesting examples include an ornate gold shield, engraved Awarded by H.H. Shriman Goswami Chiranjiv Shri Damodarlalji of Nathdwara and an ornate silver shield dating from 1931 from All India Swadeshi Exhibition, Delhi, engraved Presented to Mr Jake Cox by P. Jawaharlal Nehru. These carry a combined estimate of £300-400.

Also of note is a small collection of Agricultural Medals. Many of the medals are Scottish, but not all are. Notable pieces include an extremely fine gold award medal for the Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland, engraved The Right Hon. the Earl of Haddington, for Sow, Dumfries Show, which is estimated at £650-750, while an elaborate oval silver engraved award medal engraved Presented by Sir William Drummond Stewart of Grandtully and Logiealmond, Bart. to Donald Stewart, Tenant of the Lagg, Grandtully, as First Prize at a Competition of 93 Ploughs which took place at his Estate near Murthly Castle, 5th December 1838 is expected to fetch £300-400.