New Stock July 2024 (Part II)

The Royal Arsenal Co-operative Society (RACS) was a large consumer co-operative based in south east London. The co-operative took its name from the Royal Arsenal munitions works in Woolwich and its motto was: “Each for all and all for each”. In 1985 it merged into the national Co-operative Wholesale Society. These two high denomination £1 and £2 tokens were made in plastic for use in the 1950’s and 1960’s and are now rather scarce. Limited availability.

The Penny Black was the world’s first adhesive postage stamp. It was first issued in the United Kingdom on 1 May 1840 but was not valid for use until 6 May. The simple, yet elegant, design features a youthful profile of Queen Victoria, who was only 21 at the time of issue and she had only been on the throne for three years. The stamps were printed in sheets of 240 stamps but were imperforate so had to be cut by hand individually with scissors so some stamps come with tightly trimmed margins and some come with wider margins which are more desirable. The stamps were franked with either a black, or red, Maltese Cross to show that they had been used. This we can offer with closer trimmed margins. With each Penny Black stamp you will also receive a commemorative cover issued in 1980 to mark the 140th anniversary of the Penny Black, together with a souvenir sheet of 20 Isle of Man 1p stamps issued in 2015 to mark the 175th anniversary.

The Penny Black was the world’s first adhesive postage stamp. It was first issued in the United Kingdom on 1 May 1840 but was not valid for use until 6 May. The simple, yet elegant, design features a youthful profile of Queen Victoria, who was only 21 at the time of issue and she had only been on the throne for three years. The stamps were printed in sheets of 240 stamps but were imperforate so had to be cut by hand individually with scissors so some stamps come with tightly trimmed margins and some come with wider margins which are more desirable. The stamps were franked with either a black, or red, Maltese Cross to show that they had been used. This we can offer them in four margins showing. With each Penny Black stamp you will also receive a commemorative cover issued in 1980 to mark the 140th anniversary of the Penny Black, together with a souvenir sheet of 20 Isle of Man 1p stamps issued in 2015 to mark the 175th anniversary.

In 1980 Moscow hosted the XXII Olympiad, but the event was boycotted by many nations following the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. However, this circulating 1 rouble coin was struck in 1977 to commemorate the games. It shows the coat of arms of the old Soviet Union on the obverse, while the reverse has the logo of the Moscow Olympics above the 5 Olympic rings. The coins are struck in nickel silver and are in Uncirculated condition.

Tahmasp I was the second Shah of the Safavid dynasty, he ruled Persia (modern day Iran) from 1524 to 1576 AD. He was the son and successor of Ismail I, the founder of the Safavid dynasty. Tahmasp enjoyed the longest reign of any member of the Safavid dynasty but his rule was marked by continuing warfare with the Ottoman Empire and the loss of large amounts of territory. During his reign, gold and silver coins were issued in the denominations of Shahi, Ashrafi, and Mithqal. These coins were struck at various locations across the empire. We offer here nice examples of the gold quarter Ashrafi. The obverse of the coin declares the unity of Allah with the Shia Kalima ‘La Ilaha Illallahu Muhammadur Rasulullah Ali Waliullah’. The reverse of the coin is inscribed with the mint name in a cartouche and title of the king around. We have a small group of just seven of these coins which we have never offered before, around 450-500 years old and nice examples. About Extremely Fine. Please NOTE: Photography is representative of the coin supplied

Salonina, wife of Gallienus, lived during the intense Third Century Crisis of the Roman Empire. Despite the challenges of the era, she exerted a stabilising influence on her husband’s reign. Known for her intelligence and political acumen, Salonina actively supported Gallienus in his efforts to defend the empire against external threats, including invasions by Germanic tribes and usurpers within the Roman ranks. Her presence at court provided a sense of legitimacy and continuity during a time of upheaval. Although historical accounts of her life are scarce, Salonina is remembered as a steadfast consort who stood by Gallienus during his turbulent reign. We are offering a group of Antoninianus with beautiful silver patina coming in “Good Very Fine” grade. The obverse shows the bust of Salonina and the reverse has either a standing or seated deity

The riyal has been the currency of Saudi Arabia since it was created out of various territories on the Arabian Peninsula in 1932, but between 1925 and 1960 the pre-decimal riyal was divided into 22 ghirsh or qirsh. Although the old Hijaz riyal had 20 qirsh, the first Saudi riyal was equivalent to 22 Ottoman kurus and this subdivision became the norm. This 2-coin set consists of a 1 and 2 qirsh coin in Uncirculated condition from the late 1950s just before decimalisation.

From Greece we have just 20 sets of 6 commemorative 500 drachma coins struck in 2000 to mark the Athens Olympics held in 2004. They all feature people, places and events connected to the history of the Olympic Games, going back as far as Diagoras of Rhodes in the fifth century. We are also offering a 10 euro coin struck to mark the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. This brass coin was not made for circulation as the euro had not yet been introduced.

King John was the youngest son of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine, he was King of England from 1199 until his death in 1216. He is remembered for disastrous and expensive wars with France and his greedy and tyrannical reign which resulted in a rebellion by the church leaders and barons of the day who resented the ever-increasing taxes to fund these wars. In June 1215, the barons and church leaders marched on London in an attempt to force the King to agree to their demands. The King tried to gather support but almost all of his followers deserted him and he was forced to meet with the leaders at Runnymede, a meadow on the south bank of the River Thames, near Windsor, where he reluctantly affixed his seal to the Magna Carta, which means “Great Charter” in Latin. Amongst other things, the document limited the King’s power and forced him to follow the law and not just rule as he wished. As significant as it was to the people of the day, it has proved to be even more important to subsequent generations and has become the foundation for many of the civil rights and liberties that we enjoy today, and which are now part of English law.