Aston, George Reeves-Smith imitation spade guinea:
Obverse: THE.GREAT.OUT.DOOR.PICTURE.1883 around laureate bust of George III right, (WILLING) below.
Reverse: ASTON.LOWER.GROUNDS.BIRM:REEVES.SMITH.&.SON: around a crowned spade-shaped shield, containing quartered arms of England, Scotland, France & Ireland.
Note, small heart-shaped counterstamp at 6 o'clock, obverse and reverse.
Pierced.
Hawkins 56.

The Holte hotel was built by the Henry George Quilter, who found the money to buy the Aston Lower Grounds after the Aston Hall Company sold off the Hall to Birmingham Corporation in 1864. Quilter was the licensee until at least 1878, but in the 1883 directory it was George Reeves-Smith, then Henry Crawford from 1895, James T Lees in 1900, Charles Barbour in 1909 and 1913, Charles William Morrison Niblett in 1933 and 1939.

Sold Sept 21