The Jim Howell Penny Collection

Born in Napier, James (Jim) Howell joined the Department of External Affairs in 1962, entered the diplomatic service in 1966 and has held diplomatic assignments in Viet Nam, Thailand, Malaysia, Peru, the Netherlands, the United States and Saudi Arabia. Now semi-retired, he is senior historical adviser in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT).

Exotic coins sparked an early interest in coin collecting and philately. Another love is woodwork, pursued through to bespoke classic pieces such as the cabinets for his penny collection, now for sale, and an exact replica of a Tutankhamen throne he saw and studied in Cairo. He has a Master Woodworker award from the Wellington Guild of Woodworkers. He holds distinctions in photography, twice as NZ Photographic Society champion print winner, and archery, as 1990s NZ national men’s freestyle (Olympic style) champion. His works as a writer include I Just Wish Grandad Was Here For Me To Ask (2023) on family history, a guide to the historical records of MFAT, and now The Mighty Penny: Its Story So Far (2026).

Following earlier sales of gold items, hammered pennies and New Zealand tokens in March 2026, the main part of the Jim Howell Penny collection is now offered in Lots 186 to 286 in this sale. With estimates totalling $70,000, the collection ranges from ancient Roman denarii to Mediaeval, European and worldwide cousins of the penny, related exonumia and the full British World. Highlights include many Anglo-Saxon and British examples, such as sceattas, Maundy, patterns, British trade tokens from the 17th Century onwards and issues up to King Charles III. Outstanding exonumia includes antique money boxes, play and educational examples, trench art and more. Higher-denomination groats, shillings and more ensure the story is fully expounded.

 

BOOK
THE MIGHTY PENNY
Its story so far

 



Jim Howell’s self-published book, “The Mighty Penny – Its story so far”, covers the full story of the penny, and provides details on the coins in the collection in 236 pages, with selected colour illustrations and the author’s descriptions. For a free PDF digital copy of this book please click here

Custom-Made Album Display Cabinet

This magnificent Display Cabinet was custom-made to house the quality Lighthouse albums of the Jim Howell Penny Collection. It was built in first-class materials such as mahogany, Baltic Birch and ebony, with solid brass fittings and a stainless-steel chassis, by Jim as a master craftsman. With four stacked segments, it would be a wonderful way to display the collection albums or any other numismatic albums. It could also be used as a fine display cabinet for other purposes. The dimensions are H 1730mm, W 670mm & D 370mm. A stand to help move it is also available. Please contact Mowbray Collectables for more details on the cabinet, which is available in the Wellington region by negotiation. Additional photos are available - please click here 

Numismatic Auction 37 lot 282, Exonumia Cabinet, est $4,000

The Exonumia Cabinet is a bespoke display cabinet in fine materials such as mahogany made by Jim Howell as a master craftsman, and so is a unique offering. All items are beautifully displayed in custom storage drawers designed to accommodate items of a wide variety of shapes and sizes. Measurements are H 925mm, W 700mm, D 590mm. The height measurement increases by 225mm when detachable legs are in place, for a standing height of 1150mm. Additional photos of all the drawers are available - please click here