6 Pence - Prince of Wales Pattern Token Restrike

Named for the man who caused them to be struck, the various ‘Fullerton’ denominations were the product of engraver John Milton. The Colonel was a fellow of the Royal Societies of London and Edinburgh and a Scots enthusiast whose idea was to create patterns, then coins for circulation in Scotland, bearing the likeness of the future George IV as Prince of Wales and High Steward of Scotland. Although the Prince of Wales granted permission for the production of these coins, their use of the English royal arms as well as the effigy of the Prince in place of that of George III, raised objections, and their production was halted. As a result, only some proofs in copper were struck. Later, Matthew Young obtained the dies and produced silver restrikes. After his attempt at this coinage, Fullerton went on to become Governor of the Island of Trinidad, and no more was heard from him numismatically. Curiously, Milton had earlier created the dies for the 1788 Barbados Penny, showing a large pineapple on its reverse, today a most popular piece. He became an assistant engraver at the Royal Mint, this post lasting from 1789 until 1798. He was also medallist to the Prince of Wales, which likely explains his interest in working with Col. Fullerton on these famous patterns [duplicate comment text from 1/2 crown page after publication]