Goldberg Coins and Collectibles



Sale 95

THE NEW YORK SALE


Great Britain
 
 
Lot Photo Description Realized
Lot 1350
Aethelheard (792-805). with Kings of Mercia, Offa as Overlord. Anglo-Saxon Middle Period (780-973) Silver Non-portrait Penny, undated. 1.26 g. Archbishops of Canterbury, Second issue, with Archbishop title, Canterbury heavy coinage (792/3-796). Legend in three lines with bar divisions, barred M with pellet in each curve, pellets in a triangle either side, / :+:OFFA chevron barred A / REX. Rev. Legend in three lines with plain bar divisions. AEDIL / HEARD / ARCEPI. (Chick 247e, this coin; Blunt 136; N 229; S 885). Chipped, toned. Extremely rare. Very fine. Estimate $2,800UP
Found in Crundale, near Wye, Kent, 28 December 1991, Coin Register 1996, number153
Ex Spink Numismatic Circular, June 2002, item1059.
Ex Professor G W De Witt Collection, F R Künker auction 137, 11 March 2008.
Ex Baldwin's Auction 77, 27 September 2012, lot 2525.
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Lot 1351
Offa, King of Mercia (757-796). Silver Portrait Penny, undated. 1.06 g. Silver Portrait Penny, Light coinage (780-792), Canterbury, moneyer Ealmund. Diademed bust right to edge of coin, head within segmented linear circle, OFFA Rex MERCIOR. Rev. Cross pommée with trefoils in angles, within lozenge compartment with incurved sides, +EALMVND. Pleasing portrait and well toned, a little roughness to upper obverse edge, reverse a little off-centre, some weakness only to high points. (Chick 47a; Blunt 45; N 308; S 905). Very fine. Estimate $4,250UP
Ex G C Drabble Collection, Glendining's, 4 July 1939, lot 320, sold for £16/10/-
Ex Spink Numismatic Circular, October 1967, item 6446.
Ex Patrick Finn List 15, Spring 1999, item 75.
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Lot 1352
Kings of Mercia. Ceolwulf II (874-880) Silver Penny, undated. Moneyer Eadwulf. Diademed bust right. Rev. Long cross with lozenge center. containing a small cross. (S.944; North-429). Rare. Edge chipped. Very fine. Estimate $3,000UP
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Realized
$7,965
Lot 1353
Alfred the Great (871-899). Silver Portrait Halfpenny, undated. 0.62 g. Diademed bust right (not visible), +ÆLFRE D RE. Rev. Londinia monogram, pellets in central bisected O, pellet to left and triangle of six pellets below monogram, cross pattée above. Toned, die flawed and weak on obverse, consequently with a much better reverse. (N 645; S 1063). Extremely rare. Fine to very fine for issue. Estimate $1,600UP
Ex Baldwin's Auction 77, 27 September 2012, lot 2531.
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Lot 1354
Aethelred II (997-1003). Long Cross type, Silver Penny, undated. 1.38 g. Lydford mint, moneyer Goda. Draped bust left, legend surrounding commences lower left, +ÆÐELRÆD Rex ANGL., ligatured NG. Rev. Long voided cross with tri-crescent terminals, tiny pellet at centre, pellet in one quarter, +GO DA. M. Ω. O L YDA. (BMC type Iva; N 774; S 1151). Dark tone. Choice very fine. Estimate $650UP
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Realized
$767
Lot 1355
Edward the Confessor (1042-1066) Silver Penny, undated. Silver Penny, undated, 1.07 g. Facing Bust / Small Cross type (1062-1065), BMC type Xiiia, York mint, moneyer Scula. Facing crowned bust within linear circle, legend commences at top, +EΛPΛR.DE REX. Rev. Small cross, annulet to upper left, +SCVLΛ ON EOFERP. (BMC 393; N 830; S 1183). Toned. Choice very fine. Estimate $650UP
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Lot 1356
William I, the Conqueror (1066-1087). Silver Penny, undated. 1.36 g. PAXS type (1083-1086), BMC type 8, Wallingford mint, moneyer Sweartlinc, crowned facing bust with sceptre, crown type 1, within circle, legend commences at lower left, +PILLELM REX. Rev. Cross pattée within linear circle, letters P A X S within annulets in each angle, +SPIRTIC ON PΛLN. (BMC 1027; N 848; S 1257). Weak in parts of legend but with a pleasing portrait. Choice very fine. Estimate $900UP
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Lot 1357
Henry I (1100-1135), Silver Penny, undated. 1.17 g. Pellets in Quatrefoil type (c.1123), BMC type 14, Wilton mint, moneyer Ailward. Crowned facing bust with arm and sceptre, star to right, +hENRICVS R: Rev. Star at centre of voided quatrefoil, pellets in limbs, trefoil terminals, lis in each angle, +AILPARD: ON: PILTV: (BMC 187; N 870; S 1275). Very pleasing though double struck on the obverse, toned. Very rare. Extremely fine. Estimate $1,200UP
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Lot 1358
Stephen (1135-1154), Silver Penny, undated. 1.24 g. Cross and Piles type (c.1150-1154), Castle Rising mint, moneyer Robert. Crowned head left with sceptre, annulets on crown, no inner circle, +STIEFNE. Rev. Cross fleury, piles in each angle with trefoil head, +--DBERT:ON:RIS. (BMC type VI; N 879; S 1281). Flan chip, one other tiny edge nick, with a pleasing bust, toned. Rare. Very fine for issue. Estimate $1,650UP
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Realized
$1,652
Lot 1359
Richard II (1377-1399), Gold Noble, undated. Type IB, London. King with sword and shield standing facing in ship, annulet over sail. Rev. Ornate cross, R in centre. (S 1654; N 1302; Fr 100). NGC graded MS-62. Estimate $5,500UP
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Realized
$5,782
Lot 1360
Richard II (1377-1399), Gold Half Noble, undated. 3.71 g. First issue, obverse converted from an Edward III Treaty period die with French title omitted. King standing in ship holding sword and shield, four whole lis in upper left quarter, ship rigging with three ropes to left, and one to right, ornaments on top line of hull -1-1- with lions right, quatrefoils 3/4 on castles, full bowsprit, saltire stops both sides, RIC struck over EDW, RIC Ardx Dix Gx Rexx AnGlx Zx DnSx hIB xZx Aqx. Rev. Edward III reverse, letter E and pellet in central compartment with trefoils on angles, upon ornate cross with lis terminals, crown over lion in each angle, all within beaded and linear tressure of eight arcs, fleurs in spandrels, initial mark cross pattée, +DomInExx nExxIn FVrorexx Tvoxx ARGVAS xxmE, outer beaded border both sides. (Schneider 119; cf Doubleday 314; N 1309/1282; S 1664/1506-1507; Fr 101). Extremely rare as a regular Half-Noble of this King, excessively so as a mule with the previous reign. Creased and straightened, toned. Choice very fine. Estimate $4,500UP
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Lot 1361
Henry VIII (1509-1547), Gold Halfcrown, undated. 1,53 g. Posthumous issue (1547-1551). Crowned rose, h to left, R to right, initial mark pellet in annulet both sides, lozenge stops both sides, legend error C for D in D:G: Rev. Crowned quartered shield of arms, h to left, R to right (Schneider -/651; N 1837; cf S 2399). Extremely rare, the ultimate transitional piece of 1547 going into the posthumous period of Henry VIII. A little ragged around the rim, some traces of red wax in lettering. Very fine. Estimate $1,650UP
The same reverse die as Schneider 651. Whitton (BNJ XXVI, page 181 variant 4), attributes this coin to the Posthumous period based on the use of lozenge stops (plate X no.12). North catalogues this piece in the Third Coinage of Henry based on the use of the pellet in annulet initial mark which the current Spink catalogue also reflects.
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Lot 1362
Edward VI (1547-1553). Silver Crown, 1553. Overdate, 3 over 2, 30.55g, fine silver issue. King on horseback right, date below, circles and HIBER type legend surrounding, E over reversed E at start of legend, initial mark tun both sides. Rev. Quartered shield over long cross fourchée, no wire line inner circle on reverse. (Lingford dies A/18; N 1933; S 2478; Dav 8245). Rare overdate. Weak in parts, small nick in edge, and toned. Choice fine. Estimate $2,500UP
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Lot 1363
Edward VI (1547-1553) third period, fine silver issue Shilling, undated. 5.61 g. Facing crowned portrait, rose to left, value to right, initial mark tun both sides. Rev. Quartered shield of arms upon long cross fourchée. (N 1937; S 2482). Toned, weak in parts, and pleasing. Very fine. Estimate $500UP
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Lot 1364
Philip and Mary (1554-1558), The State of England, cast Bronze Medal, 1555. 66.5mm, 97.7g, by Jacopo Nizolla da Trezzo (1515/1519-1589). Half-length armoured bust of Philip right, PHILIPPVS Rex PRINC HISP AET S AN XXVIII, signed below. Rev. Half-length bust of the Queen left, wearing embroidered cap, gown and necklace, MARIA I REG ANGL FRANC ET HIB FIDEI DEFENSATRIX. (MI 72/20; Attwood 80a rev; Arm I, 241/2 obv; Pollard (2007) 504, 505). A tooled aftercast of some considerable age, a pleasing patina. Very fine. Estimate $750UP
From the collection of medals formed by William Victor Royle Baldwin (known as Roy or Uncle Roy), one of A H Baldwin & Sons Ltd founder's three sons, he was born in 1893.
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Realized
$708
Lot 1365
Elizabeth I (1558-1603), Gold Pound of Twenty Shillings, undated. Sixth issue (1583-1600). Ornate crowned bust left, beaded circle surrounding, initial mark cypher (1600) both sides, pellet and comma stops on obverse, ELIZABETH. D'. G'. ANG'. FRA'. ET. HIB'. REGINA. Rev. Crowned quartered shield of arms, E to left, R to right, beaded circle surrounding, pellet stops on reverse, SCVTVM. FIDEI.PROTEGET. EAM., outer beaded circle surrounding both sides. (cf Schneider 804; B&C F22; N 2008; S 2534). Lightly toned, usual raised die flaws on face and beaded circles. A rare mintmark. PCGS graded EF-40. Estimate $15,000UP
Brown and Comber only record one variety of initial mark cypher in their BNJ article in 1989, though there are clearly two obverses, one with the mintmark at the start of the legend and the other, as in the Schneider example, with the mark at the end of the legeundated.
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Realized
$14,160
Lot 1366
James I (1603-1625). Gold Angel of Eleven Shillings, undated. 4.59 g. second coinage (1604-1619). St Michael slaying dragon, initial mark book (1616-1617) both sides, struck over tun on obverse, pellet and comma stops in legeundated. IACOBVS. D'. G'. MAG'. BRI'. FRA'. ET. HI'. REX. Rev. Flat deck ship sailing without bowsprit, large quartered shield upon hull, mast above, I to left, rose to right, ropes two each side, pellet stops in legend, A. DNO: FACTVM. EST. ISTVD. (cf Schneider II-18; N 2081; S 2615; Fr 232). V-shape scratch on the obverse, pleasing red tone. A rare example of an unpierced Angel. Choice very fine. Estimate $5,000UP
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Lot 1367
James I (1603-1625), third coinage (1619-1625), Gold Spur Ryal, undated. 6.23 g. Mint mark, spur rowel. IACOBVS D G MAG BRIT FRA ET HI REX, crowned lion facing, supporting shield and holding sceptre, value X-V at sides. Rev. A DNO FACTVM EST ISTVD ET EST MIRABI, rose on spur rowel in centre of royal cross, crowned lions in angles. (Schneider 79 (same dies); N 2109; S 2634; Fr 240). About as struck for issue. Extremely fine. Estimate $70,000UP
Ex H P Hall collection, Glendining's, 26-27 July 1950, lot 106, collection purchased en bloc by Spink prior to the sale.
Ex Spink Numismatic Circular, January 1974, lot184.
Ex Spink auction 176, 30 November 2005, lot 467.
Spur Rowels are notorious for being extremely creased. This example is superb and believed to be amongst the top four available for commerce.
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Realized
$70,800
Lot 1368
James I (1603-1625). Dutch Silver Medal, 1619. The Synod of Dort (Dordrecht), 59 mm, 40.1g, by Cornelius Wyntjes. The crowned Belgic Lion to left, the name of Johovah above, radiate, RELIGIONE ET IVSTICIA RESTITVTIS. Rev. Crowned shield of the arms of Prince Maurice, Garter around and two clasped hands below, RESPVBLICA DEMVM FLOREBIT. (MI 223/79; vL II, 113). Struck on a thin flan. Extremely fine. Estimate $1,000UP
From the collection of medals formed by William Victor Royle Baldwin (known as Roy or Uncle Roy), one of A H Baldwin & Sons Ltd founder's three sons, he was born in 1893.
James I had advocated a national synod to consider the controversy in the Dutch churches initiated by the rise of Arminianism. It was attended by delegates from Britain and seven other foreign countries. It was held between the 13 November 1618 and 9 May 1619.
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Realized
$915
Lot 1369
Charles I (1625-1649). Gold Triple-Unite of Three Pounds, 1642. 27.12g, Oxford mint. Half-length crowned and armoured figure of King left holding sword and palm branch, Oxford plume in field behind, touching inner beaded circle at top and bottom, initial mark Oxford plume, legend reads CAROLVS: D: G. MAG: BRIT: FR: ET. HIB: REX. Rev. Declaration inscription in three wavy lines, RELIG: PROT / LEG: ANG / LIBER: PAR, date in field below, three Oxford plumes and value between stops above, all within beaded circle that upper plume intrudes, colon stops in legend, initial mark four pellets at left.: EXVRGAT: DEVS: DISSIPENTVR: INIMICI, struck en médaille. (Beresford-Jones dies I/S1; Brooker 830; Schneider II-284; N 2381; S 2724). A good clear face to portrait and sword blade, a little double struck on King's body and back of head and a little weak on plume in field and on high points of lettering, with a light tone. Choice very fine. Estimate $60,000UP
Ex Duchess of Beaufort Collection, Christies, 1 May 1890.
Ex V J E Ryan Collection, Glendining's, 28-30 June 1950, lot 513, plate XV, sold for £98, most valuable of 1642 dated examples.
Ex Glenister Collection (part II), Spink auction 223, 26-27 March 2014, lot 1613.
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Lot 1370
Charles I (1625-1649). Gold Angel of Ten Shillings, undated. 3.92g, Tower Mint (London). St Michael slaying dragon, value "X" in right field, double initial mark upright anchor (1628-1629) before trident head, faint castle (1627-1628) after, pellet and comma stops in legend, CAROLVS. D: G: MAG: BRI: FR: ET. HI: REX. Rev. Ship in full sail left, quartered arms upon main sail, main mast and pennant above, mast either side with rigging, pellet stops in legend, initial mark upright anchor struck over castle at end of legend .AMOR. POPULI. PRÆSIDIVM. REGIS., struck en médaille. (Brooker -; cf Schneider II-107-8; N 2144; S 2683A). Extremely rare, no example of this initial mark in the Brooker Collection. With large piercing and one hairline flan crack, toned. Choice very fine. Estimate $2,250UP
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Lot 1371
Charles I (1625-1649). Silver Pattern Shilling, Oxford mint, 1644. 5.80g. Crowned bust left breaking inner beaded circle top and bottom, value behind, initial mark Shrewsbury style plume with single band. Rev. Latin Declaration in three lines with colon lozenge stops, scroll lines above and below, date and OX below, central Oxford plume above with Shrewsbury style plume either side, beaded circles and legend surrounding, initial mark four lozenges, die axis at 9 o'clock. (Brooker -; Lockett 2469; N 2712; S -). Extremely rare. On a broad flan, flan flaws on the reverse and blank filing marks evident both sides in corresponding parts, and lightly toned. Very fine. Estimate $5,500UP
Ex Spink Numismatic Circular, September 2010, item HS4341, illustrated on the front cover.
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Realized
$6,195
Lot 1372
Charles I (1625-1649). Silver, Halfgroat, undated. 0.78g, Oxford mint, initial mark Plain Cross. Crowned bust left, value behind. Rev. Large plumes on reverse, legend surrounding, initial mark plumes. (Brooker 965; N 2474; S 2996). Rare. Lightly toned with a few light marks. Very fine. Estimate $500UP
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Lot 1373
Charles I (1625-1649). Civil War Siege Coinage, Carlisle. Silver Shilling, 1645. 4.83g, round flan. Large crown with eight pellet jewels on upper arches over (C)-R, three pellets to right of R, XII. below, all within semi-circle and beaded border. Rev.OBS:/CARL:/1645 in three lines, rosette above and below, short lines over S and L, three pellets to left of C. (Brooker 1220; N 2635; S 3138). Extremely rare. Fine. Estimate $14,000UP
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Realized
$15,340
Lot 1374
Charles I (1625-1649). Obsidional Coinage, Newark besieged. Silver Halfcrown, 1646. 15.55g, on lozenge shaped flan. Large crown over value, C to left, R to right, beaded border both sides. Rev. Inscription and date. (Brooker 1222; N 2638; S 3140A). Two small pinholes at top of each side, toned. Choice very fine. Estimate $2,800UP
Ex Seaby Coin and Medal Bulletin, November 1962, item 7026, graded as extremely fine.
Ex Mark Rasmussen, list 16, no.H2.
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Realized
$3,068
Lot 1375
Charles II (1649-1651). Copper Farthing, 1675. Laureate cuirassed bust left, stop after CAROLVS. Rev. Britannia, date in exergue. (Peck 528; S 3394). Residual lustre with a trace of mint red. NGC graded MS-64 Brown. Estimate $950UP
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Lot 1376
Charles II (1649-1651). Tin Farthing, 1684. Copper plug at centre. Laureate and cuirassed bust left. Rev. Britannia seated on globe with spear, shield and spray of leaves, plain exergue, edge inscribed and dated in raised letters, with extra pellet stop in inscription, NVMMORVM*.FAMVLVS.1684.* (Peck 537A; S 3395). Very rare so well preserved. Plenty of original lustre in the fields, a few tiny spots on bust of the King, a few rim imperfections and one light bruise. Extremely fine. Estimate $3,800UP
Ex H Deane Collection, purchased by B A Seaby 1946.
With old Baldwin stock ticket priced at £5/10/-.
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Realized
$4,130
Lot 1377
William & Mary (1689-1694). Tin Farthing, 1690. Copper plug at centre. Second conjoined laureate and draped busts right, GVLIELMVS ET MARIA. Rev. Britannia seated on globe with spear, shield and spray of leaves, date below in exergue, BRITANNIA, edge inscribed and dated in raised letters NVMMOMRVM**FAMVLVS.1690*. (Peck 579 R; S 3451). Considerable original lustre both sides, a few small corrosion spots each side and some on edge, otherwise pleasing example. Extremely rare this well preserved. Extremely fine. Estimate $3,800UP
Ex Spink Numismatic Circular, February 2007, MC3229.
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Lot 1378
William III (1694-1702). Silver Crown, 1696. Tower Mint (London). Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right. Rev. Crowned cruciform coat-of-arms with arms of Nassau at centre. (S 3470; ESC 89). NGC graded MS-61. Estimate $3,500UP
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Lot 1379
William III (1694-1702). Silver Crown, 1700. DECIMO. TERTIO. Third laureate and draped bust right. Rev. Four crowned shields cruciform, third harp with nine strings. (S 3474; ESC 98). NGC graded MS-62. Estimate $3,750UP
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Lot 1380
Anne (1702-1714). Copper Pattern Farthing, 1714. Draped bust left, ANNA.DEI.GRATIA., weak stops with inner circle. Rev. Britannia seated on globe with spear, shield and spray of leaves, date below in exergue, BRITANNIA., inverted die axis, edge plain. (Peck 741, dies 2+E; S 3625). Struck from slightly rusted dies, toned. About extremely fine. Estimate $900UP
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Lot 1381
George I (1714-1727). Copper Farthing, 1717. Copper Farthing, 1717, "dump" issue. Laureate and cuirassed bust right, GEORGIVS.REX. Rev. Britannia seated on globe with spear, shield and spray of leaves, date below in exergue, BRITANNIA., inverted die axis. (Peck 783; S 3661). A few light surface marks, toned. Rare. Choice extremely fine. Estimate $1,000UP
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Lot 1382
George III (1760-1820). Gold Proof Guinea, 1774, by Thomas Pingo. Fourth laureate bust right. Rev. Crowned garnished shield, plain edge, rims bevelled. (S 3728; W&R 95). Rare and amongst the nicest to be found. Virtually as struck. PCGS graded Proof 64. Estimate $13,500UP
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Realized
$13,570
Lot 1383
George III (1760-1820). Gold Half Sovereign, 1817. Laureate head right, titles and date around. Rev.Crowned arms. (S 3786; FR 372; KM673). Light golden tone. NGC graded MS-64. Estimate $1,500UP
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Realized
$1,475
Lot 1384
George III (1760-1820). Proof Eighteenpence Bank Token, 1811. First laureate and draped bust right in armour. Rev. Value within oak wreath, date below, edge plain. (S 3771; KM Tn2). Practically as struck, attractively toned. Rare. Proof. Estimate $1,000UP
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Realized
$915
Lot 1385
George III (1760-1820). Copper Pattern for a Crown-sized Coinage, dated 1816. Struck in pure copper, 37.7mm, 23.75g. Three Shillings Bank Token dies struck with a lettered edge. Laureate head right, legend surrounding, GEORGIUS III DEI GRATIA REX, border of dots around rim. Rev. Inscription within laurel and oak wreath, BANK / TOKEN / 3 SHILL / 1816 in four lines, edge inscribed with incuse letters on sunken edge between two plain rims, * DECUS ET TUTAMEN * ANNO REGNI QUINQUAGESIMO SEPTIMO, struck en medaille, Two small spots and small rim bruise on the obverse, a little weakly struck at centre. (cf L&S 151 for Halfcrown; cf MSCE Patt 12; cf Bull 2089). Unpublished and of the highest rarity, this the only known example. Choice extremely fine. Estimate $4,000UP
This unpublished piece is akin to the known 1816 Halfcrown dies, Crown-sized pattern of similar dimensions (38mm) listed in the references quoted above. This piece has been researched further at the Royal Mint by Mr G P Dyer (their letter accompanies this lot). It is best described as a technical trial piece leading to the eventual striking of the silver Crowns with lettered edges (issued from 1818), though the Royal Mint record remains silent as to the circumstances of the striking of this piece. As the Royal Mint letter details, there is an edge marking tool still in the Royal Mint Collection that is very similar to the inscription on this piece. The Halfcrown specimen has been linked in the past to George Rennie who was appointed Superintendent of Machinery at the Royal Mint in May 1816 and was in correspondence with Matthew Robinson Boulton of the Soho Mint in Birmingham about the striking of lettered edge Crown-sized pieces. Preparations for the Crown pieces was known from documentary sources to have been underway by March 1817 under the leadership of William Wellesley Pole for which this was an experimental die trial. A highly important piece in the history of the milled coinage.
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Realized
$3,776
Lot 1386
George III (1760-1820). Silver Restrike Proof Farthing, 1799. 7.18g. Laureate and draped bust right, tiny dot on shoulder on raised line, date below, GEORGIUS III DEI GRATIA REX, toothed border both sides. Rev. Britannia seated left on rocks with shield, trident and olive branch, ship to left, waves below, BRITANNIA above, 1. FARTHING. below, edge plain, inverted die axis. (Peck 1283 R87; S 3779). Mint state, toned. Extremely rare. Estimate $3,000UP
Ex John G Murdoch Collection, first portion, Sotheby's, 31 March 1903, lot 314 (part), where the lot of six coins was bought by A H Baldwin & Sons Ltd for £2 with original ticket in hand of A H Baldwin, priced at 8/6d.
Ex Gregory Collection (part II), Baldwin's Auction 47, 25 September 2006, lot 550.
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Lot 1387
George III (1760-1820). Gold Half Guinea, 1796. 5th Head bust right. Rev. So-called spade-shaped shield. (S.3735; Fr 362; KM 608). A very choice and boldly struck coin with satiny luster. NGC graded MS-63. Estimate $2,500UP
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Lot 1388
George III (1760-1820). Gold Proof Sovereign, 1818. Legend type B, reeded edge. Laureate head right. Rev. St. George and the Dragon. (S3785A; WR 198 (Rarity 6, just 3 to 5 known, extremely rare, according to Wilson & Rasmussen); Fr 371; KM 674). Finest known example of this extremely rare proof issue. NGC graded Proof 65 Ultra Cameo. Estimate $60,000UP
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Lot 1389
George IV (1820-1830). Silver Proof Crown, 1826. SEPTIMO. Exquisite blue-gold tone with prooflike fields and a splendid strike on the portrait. (S 3806; ESC 257; KM 699). A highly desirable specimen. PCGS graded Proof 63. Estimate $22,000UP
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Lot 1390
William IV (1830-1837). Gold Proof Sovereign, 1831. By William Wyon after Francis Chantrey's model/ reverse by Johann B. Merlen. Reeded edge. WW incuse on truncation without stops. First bare head of king right. Rev. Crowned garnished shield. Frosted details with good overall eye appeal. (WR 262 (Rarity 6); S3829A). Extremely rare. PCGS graded Proof 62 Deep Cameo. Estimate $60,000UP
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Lot 1391
Victoria (1837-1901). Gold Proof Sovereign, 1853 (S 3852D; Fr 387f; KM 736.1; WR 305 (Rarity-3)Reeded Edge). Extremely rare. NGC graded Proof 61 Cameo. Estimate $2,000UP
The Proofs of 1853 are all very rare, and all can be traced to the special sets made up this year, evidently for or on behalf of the royal family. This is a pleasing example, minor handling marks, with a lovely cameo to the portrait.
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Realized
$18,880
Lot 1392
George V (1865-1936). Gold Proof Half Sovereign, 1911. A lovely cameo example from the coronation set. (S 4006; Fr 405a; KM 819). NGC graded Proof 64 Cameo. Estimate $1,000 - 1,200
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Realized
$1,033
Lot 1393
George VI (1936-1952). Gold Proof Two Pounds, 1937. Bare head left, H.P. below truncation. Rev. St George slaying dragon with sword, broken lance to lower left, date in exergue, B.P. to upper right. (WR 437; S 4075; KM 860). Proof. Hairline scratch in obverse field, light fingerprint on reverse, otherwise practically as struck and lightly toned. Estimate $2,000UP
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Lot 1394
Elizabeth II (1952-). VIP Proof Set, 1955. Cupro-nickel, Halfcrown, Florin, English-type Shilling, Scottish-type Shilling and Sixpence, Brass Threepence, Bronze Halfpenny and Farthing (S 4145, 4146, 4147, 4148, 4149, 4153, 4158, 4159). All in NGC holders graded PF66 (Halfcrown), PF68 (Florin), PF66 (English Shilling), PF65 (Scottish Shilling), PF66 (Sixpence), PF67 (Threepence), PF64RB (Halfpenny) and PF67RB (Farthing). Excessively rare. (8). Lot of 8 coins. Estimate $17,000UP
It is believed that the VIP Proofs were struck specially for important dignitaries visiting the country and, as such, only a handful of examples were struck for each year. For this reason, it is exceptional to have a full complete set intact. This represents the only UK Proof Coins of 1955 encapsulated by a commercial grading service to-date.
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Realized
$16,520
Lot 1395
Elizabeth II (1952-). Satin Proof Gold Sovereign, 1965. Designed by Mary Gillick. Portrait facing right of young Queen Elizabeth. Rev. St. George slaying dragon with sword, tiny B.P. to upper right, date below exergue. Reeded edge. 7.99 g, 22.2 mm. (S4125 type. KM 908 type). Superb in eye appeal, fully struck, blemishless high rims, with a lovely vivid-gold color to the silken satiny textured surfaces. In all a beautiful specimen of the highest rarity, at least R7 and possibly unique. NGC graded Satin Proof 64. Estimate $65,000UP
Ex Baldwin's Auction 79, The Bentley Collection (Part 3), May 8, 2013, lot 1237
Ex An Important Collection of Gold Sovereigns 1816-2000, offered as one lot, Sotheby's, November 2000, Lot 525 (part).
Ex Stack's, New York, June 1, 1997, lot 701.
A mysterious coin, previously unrecognized for what it is, bearing the early, first portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, designed by Mary Gillick. It is the so-called Second Issue type, as struck from 1957 to 1968 (although in 1957 the edge reeding was slightly finer, or thinner). The First Issue gold sovereign, dated 1953, had included as part of the royal title the abbreviated Latin BRITT·OMN; it was struck in brilliant proof for the Coronation but created strictly for museums: it was never sold to the public. The royal legend was then modified in 1957 to eliminate over-crowding of letters. Proofs of this so-called Second Issue style occurred only in 1957, 1958, 1959 and 1963, the last date being itself a great rarity made in two surface types, brilliant and matte. Brilliant proof sovereigns of 1957, 1958 and 1959 appear irregularly for sale. Each date is very rare and keenly sought after by collectors, but these pale in rarity compared to the proofs of 1953, 1963 and the coin offered here.

The supposition has long been held by numismatists that certain proof gold coins of the 20th century were struck, in extremely limited numbers, not in brilliant mirror-like format but with non-reflective matte surfaces - entirely for the purpose of facilitating photographic imaging by and at the Royal Mint. This is the reason normally given for the existence of the exceedingly rare matte proofs of 1937, which were the first gold coins minted in this format since the matte proofs of 1902, during the reign of Edward VII. Those 1902 matte-surfaced proofs looked dull at the time, compared to the brilliant gold proofs of 1887 and 1893, and they proved to be so unpopular with collectors of the day that the Royal Mint reverted to striking proofs in brilliant reflective format for all subsequent gold coins made for sale to collectors (1911, 1937, and later issues of 1979 up through today). The only exceptions to such brilliant proofs therefore are these matte pieces intended for photography. And yet, the coin appearing in the present lot is not matte-like at all. Instead, it displays a gleaming satiny finish, silky in texture, on each side. Quite obviously, it is not dull and was not made for photographic purposes. What is it, then?

If we look into the history of Britain's mint, we discover that the decade of the 1960s was a time of experimentation - as well as of anticipation. Early in 1966, it was announced that a decimal currency system would gradually replace the traditional Pounds, Shillings, Pence money, starting in February 1971. Then, on April 25, 1967, the Chancellor of the Exchequer formally announced that the Royal Mint would be moved from its ages-old location near the Tower of London to a Welsh town near Cardiff, where a modern mint was going to be built. The move had been discussed for more than a decade. A larger facility was needed. A secure spot outside of London was sought, and finally Llantrisant was decided upon. Thus, in the middle 1960s, a lot of planning was underway at the mint, and the man in charge was Deputy Master Sir Jack James. He was a decisive man of few words but considerable vision. He was something of an efficiency expert. He reviewed every detail of every department of the mint, and modernized its organization. Beginning in 1957, he also engaged in a variety of experiments to improve the coinage - a new gas-fired annealing furnace in 1963, more than a dozen new coining presses in 1964 and 1965, and new techniques for inspecting struck coins to assure consistent quality. In 1964, he also created a special "specimen coin section" as part of the medals department, with some 70 workmen, so as to efficiently produce coins for sale to collectors, including overseas customers. His efforts earned the mint, for the first time ever in 1966, the Queen's Award for Industry, seen by James's contemporaries as a great achievement, and this included the queen's visit to the Tower Hill Mint on June 8, 1966, when she inspected the Deputy Master's many advancements.

Much favored by Queen Elizabeth was the portrait of her by Mary Gillick, who in fact was the first woman sculptor ever to have designed an image of the monarch used on British coins. Mary Tutin Gillick was born in 1881 and educated at the Nottingham School of Art and at the Royal College of Art. Her effigy of the queen was selected from seventeen designs submitted by artists for consideration by the Royal Mint in 1952, and in 1953, upon Elizabeth's coronation, the portrait began appearing on all of Britain's coins. It depicts the queen as a young beauty, looking towards the future with her hair tied by a bow fluttering behind her. This image of the queen has also appeared on all British commemorative postage stamps since 1966. Mary Gillick died on January 27, 1965. We can only surmise but, given the experiments at the mint in the middle 1960s, as well as the significance of the Queen's visit and award, and finally Sir Jack James's creation of a new specimen-producing section at the mint in 1964, it seems more than possible that this very unusual and superb-looking Satin Proof sovereign was created as a distinctive Proof of Record to memorialize the passing of the queen's favorite designer in this year.
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