Draft:William John Webster

William John Webster (1848-1919) was a professional numismatist who worked for the Royal Mint and auctioneers Spink. He also catalogued coins for auction at Sotheby's from 1893 until his death in 1919.

Early life
The son of William Webster of Portsea, Hampshire, he joined the family coin business established by his great great uncle William Till the Elder at 7 Great Russell Street, London.

After his father's death in 1885, he relocated the business to Bloomsbury Place. In July 1893, at the encouragement of Hyman Montagu, "the greatest British coin collector of the 19th Century", he joined auctioneers Spink and Son where he worked until his death in 1919.

He provided specialist assistance during counterfeit coin trials in his separate capacity as Inspector of Coin to the Royal Mint.

His obituary was published in the Numismatic Circular periodical by his colleague Samuel Marshall Spink.