The DNW sale included two versions of Wyon’s Penny. This token commemorates a famous race staged on the Beacon course at Newmarket on March 25, 1799, between Durham landowner Sir Harry Vane-Tempest’s Hambletonian (1792- 1818) and the horse-breeder Joseph Cookson’s (1792-1819) Diamond.
The match was for 3000 guineas with Hambletonian, the 5-4 favourite, taking victory by ‘half a neck’.
The design for the verso (below left) of two racehorses passing the winning post is thought to be after a painting by George Stubbs now at Mount Stewart, Belfast.
A version deemed ‘almost extremely fine’ took £1400 with another showing a die flaw sold at £550.
