Lot 3072
Sale 89 · Important Australian & World Coins, Medals & Banknotes, The W.G. & L.M. Wright Collection
Images
Description
Great Britain, Middlesex, Political and Social series, Eaton's Trial, penny, size medalet, 1794, struck in brass, obv. cock to left "struck by order of the London Corresponding Society, rev. names of jurors "The King Versus Eaton" (D&H 203). Nearly extremely fine and of the highest rarity in brass.
Eaton (d.1814), a bookseller, was indicted for selling the second part of Thomas Paine's "Rights of Man" in 1793. On his acquittal he fled to America and was outlawed in 1796. In 1812 he was again indicted for issuing Paine's "Age of Reason". Sentenced to 18 months imprisonment and to stand in the pillory where he found the support of the populace. He died in poverty in 1814.
- Estimate
- $1,000
- Result Status
- Sold
- Prices Realised
- $950