RARE EARLY 19TH CENTURY AUSTRALIAN COIN DISCOVERED IN AN OXFAM SHOP IN SOUTH LONDON SELLS FOR HAMMER PRICE OF £7,500 AT NOONANS

An Australian New South Wales Fifteen Pence or Dump dating from 1813 that had been discovered by Oxfam Volunteer and coin enthusiast John Turner while looking through a bag of coins that had been donated to Oxfam’s shop in Orpington was sold at Noonans Mayfair for a hammer price of £7,500 in a sale of Coins and Historical Medals today (Wednesday, February 7, 2024). It was estimated to fetch £5,000-7,000 and was bought by a dealer from the USA.

John who is in his mid 70s, has volunteered for Oxfam for the past 10 years since he retired from banking. He lives in Bromley area and is based at his local Bromley shop in South East London, however there are 8-9 shops in South London that he visits regularly.

After the sale, JohnTurner said: “As a volunteer of nearly ten years, it is not every day you make discoveries like these.”

He explained: “When I first found the coin, I had no idea what it was, but I am so glad I persevered with the research. I am thrilled that it has sold at such a brilliant price - especially knowing that all the money raised will go towards Oxfam.”

Shelley Hitch, Valuer at Oxfam, said: “It is absolutely amazing that the coin has sold for such a high price. It is hard to believe that something so small could end up being so extraordinary.
 
She finished by saying: “Volunteers like John are so valuable to Oxfam and it means we can raise the money we need to help fight poverty across the globe.”