An extremely rare and early Cork silver mug which turned up in a job lot at a New York auction house in December was bought for $6,500 by the Irish silver dealer William Crofton of L and W Duvallier, now based at the London Silver Vaults on Chancery Lane.

Des O’Sullivan reports on this weekend’s James Adam sale.

Even by the richest publicans’ excessive rates, this is still one pricey pint.