#112 • Rare English W.H. Ell's Gold Sovereign SafeCheck

Part of Session I: Fall Americana & Decorative Arts Live (timed auction by Lewis & Grant Auctions)

Starting at $300.00

Status: Available

Live bidding starts Oct 23, 2026 10:00 AM EDT

English, Early 20th century. A W.H. Ell Gold Sovereign SafeCheck in mahogany case with Palliser's Bar Fitters Swansea plaque, this early English gold coin exchanger provided change for sovereigns and half sovereigns, brass mechanism is housed in a mahogany case with a glass front, a sovereign or half sovereign inserted in the proper slot was verified for weight, triggering the mechanism to operate the brass slide below, revealing one of 19 copper or brass cups containing the proper change for the appropriate coin, if the coin was of improper weight, it was returned through a slot below the mechanism, receptacles in the rear of the machine accommodate the empty cups after change is received; ht. 12, wd. 8, dp. 7 inches. Overall good condition. Sometimes referred to as the Safechek.  Provenance: Ray Howser Collection.