A “Hoard” of Wealth at Noonans
Discovered in a Dorset farmhouse more than two decades ago, the Littlebrook Hoard of Tudor silver coins exceeded expectations when offered at a Noonans Mayfair auction.
Over two decades ago, builders working on an extension on a home on Littlebrook Farm in Dorset, England, discovered a pottery vessel containing 213 coins. Later on, it was revealed that the majority of those coins dated to the reign of Henry VII.
The then-owner of the home and hoard, now-retired international bank inspector Peter Gray, decided to sell the coins for his and his wife Jackie’s new home. What is now known as the Littlebrook Hoard of Tudor silver coins then moved beyond its southwest England location and was the subject of a Noonans Mayfair auction on February 10. The coins were sold individually and were believed to earn around £30,000. Another surprise was that these coins, cumulatively, doubled the pre-sale estimate of £61,735.
A coin of note featured in the sale was a tentative issue groat (lot 237) showing a portrait of Henry VII, which sold for £2,600 against an estimate of £400–£500. “The most exciting coin in the collection was lot 237, which sold extremely well due to the strength of the portrait,” explains Head of Coin Department at Noonans, Bradley Hopper. “As it is the first naturalistic depiction on an English coin and is a wonderful likeness of Henry VII.”
Other well-earning lots from outside the Tudor silver coin collection were from the Irish Coins and Medals and the Property of a Gentleman collection. The top lots were a circa 1473–1478 halfgroat from the second reign of Edward IV that sold for £11,000 (lot 27), a Sihtric penny (lot 1) that fetched £10,000, and an Edward IV groat (lot 20) that sold for £3,000.
“The prices of the top three lots reflected the strength of the world market, as they were bought by buyers in the USA, UK, and Australia,” says Hopper. “All well exceeded our expectations. This was due to their quality, condition, and how well they had been preserved.”
For more information about the Littlebrook Hoard of Tudor silver coins or the February 10 auction, visit noonans.co.uk
Highlights from Noonans Mayfair February 10 Auction
Henry VII groat (lot 237). Neatly struck, better than very fine, excellent portrait. From the Littlebrook Hoard of Tudor Silver Coins. Sold for £2,600. Photographs featured in this segment are courtesy of Noonans Mayfair.
Henry VII groat (lot 262). Minute striking crack, otherwise nearly very fine, full, very rare. From the Littlebrook Hoard of Tudor Silver Coins. Sold for £480.
Henry VII halfgroat (lot 365). A little dirty and the flan gently crimped; nearly very fine with a clear portrait, this muling apparently unrecorded for York. From the Littlebrook Hoard of Tudor Silver Coins. Sold for £1,500.
Henry VIII (lot 369). Fresh bright metal, some light marks, very fine and very rare. From the Littlebrook Hoard of Tudor Silver Coins. Sold for £380.
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