Lot 820

Sumatra, British East India Company, Bencoolen (Fort Marlborough) - AE 2 Kepings 1786 AH1200 - struck in copper gilt (Scho.953; KM.258, Pr.11B) - Obv. Balemark of the East India Company, date below divided by large rosette / Rev. “2 / do keping / 1202” - 6.68 g., oblique milled edge - few minor handling marks, XF/UNC, this was the first coinage struck by Matthew Boulton at the Soho Mint near Birmingham and also the first contract for the Honourable East India Company