Thomas Snelling
Thomas Snelling | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1712 England |
| Died | 1773-05-02 |
| Occupation(s) | Numismatist, coin dealer, bookseller |
| Years active | c. 1756–1773 |
| Known for | Studies and publications on British coinage; dealer of coins and medals |
Thomas Snelling (1712 – 2 May 1773) was a prominent English numismatist and dealer in coins.
Life
Located at 163 Fleet Street, London, near the Horn Tavern, Snelling conducted business as both a coin dealer and bookseller. Among his notable acquisitions was the 1756 Newbury Hoard, which he examined thoroughly in his 1762 publication focused on silver coinage.
By approximately 1766, Snelling was actively engaged in London's coin market, catering to distinguished patrons such as anatomist William Hunter and Reverend Joseph Kilner, whose collection eventually became part of Merton College's holdings. Following Snelling’s passing on 2 May 1773, his son took over the enterprise as a printseller at the same location and posthumously issued two of his father’s works.
In January 1774, Langford's in Covent Garden conducted an auction featuring Snelling’s vast assortment of coins, medals, and antiquities, predominantly of Greek and Roman origin.
The British Museum preserves three portrait medals of Snelling crafted by G. Rawle, Lewis Pingo, and John Kirk. Furthermore, John Thane produced an engraved portrait in 1770, while William Tassie included medallions depicting Snelling and his daughter within a series he created.
Works
Snelling produced numerous detailed studies on British coinage. Despite the somewhat crude nature of the illustrations in his View of the Silver Coin … of England, numismatist Edward Hawkins commended their precision. His works often carried the notice: "Who buys and sells all sorts of coins and medals."
Among his principal publications are:
- Seventy-two Plates of Gold and Silver Coin, mostly English, 1757—probably printed from copperplates initially engraved for Sir James Harrington and the mint committee in 1652.
- A View of the Silver Coin … of England, 1762.
- A View of the Gold Coin … of England, 1763.
- A View of the Copper Coin … of England, 1766 (addressing tradesmen's tokens).
- A View of the COINS at this time current throughout Europe...., 1766.
- The Doctrine of Gold and Silver Computations, 1766.
- A Supplement to Mr. Simon's Essay on Irish Coins, 1767.
- Miscellaneous Views of the Coins struck by English Princes in France, 1769 (covering counterfeit sterlings and colonial issues).
- A View of the Origin … of Jettons or Counters, 1769.
- A View of the Silver Coin and Coinage of Scotland, 1774.
- Thirty-three Plates of English Medals, 1776.