Ilbert & Co Shanghai Cash Token

Item Description

China, Shanghai, Ilbert & Co un-dated (1904) copper 10 Cash token by Greenwood & Batley, Leeds (Pridmore 322, CCC 785). Weight: 7.52g. Diameter: 28.4mm. Grade: F - dark, rich tone with much appeal, wear to high points as expected for a coin, which is Fine overall.

This scarce token bears the names of two companies: Greenwood & Batley and Ilbert & Co.

Greenwood & Batley was an important engineering manufacturer founded in Leeds in 1856. At the turn of the 20th century, the company was producing machinery for milling, textile production, printing and coining, as well as locomotives and armaments from their Albion Works in Armley Road, Leeds.

In 1904, Ilbert & Co, based in Shanghai, ordered ten coining presses Greenwood & Batley, reportedly to strike 10 cash coins. The design, weight and metal of the coin has similarities with early 20th-century Chinese 10 Cash coins.

This token was likely one of a small number of proving pieces struck by Greenwood & Batley to demonstrate the efficacy of their machinery.

The obverse features a dragon design with 'ILBERT & Co.' above and 'SHANGHAI' below.

The reverse shows a central 'G&B monogram with 'ALBION WORKS LEEDS’ above and below and ‘GREENWOOD & BATLEY LIMITED' around this.

Similar proving pieces attributed to Greenwood & Batley were struck for a range of countries and companies, including a 1905-dated token struck for Duncan, Stratton & Co. of Bombay, with the same obverse and a tiger on the reverse.

An exact mintage for the Ilbert & Co tokens is unknown, but they appear to be significantly scarcer than other types and attract significant international attention when they come to market.