Lot 1380
Great Britain. George III Uniface Trial Reverse for a Pattern Sovereign struck in Gold, c.1817. W&R-190 (Rarity 7, mislabel on slab holder as 191). Edge: Plain. Engraved by Benedetto Pistrucci. George III. Obverse: Blank. Reverse; St George, helmeted with flowing streamer and cloak, slaying dragon right with broken lance, unlike currency issue, left forearm visible holding rein of horse, dragon at an unfinished stage, no tongue, with filled mouth, dragon claws triangular and stubby, ground line with BP incused to left, all within horizontally crudely ruled garter with buckle, W W P incused on sides of buckle, garter motto HONI. SOIT. QUI. MAL. Y. PENSE ., letter I of first word fully apparent, all struck slightly off-center. Struck from unfinished die and without collar. Toned, as struck and the only known specimen, unique. NGC graded MS-61. Estimated Value $10,000 - UP
This piece was in Pistrucci's collection as "No.3" and later found its way to the Murdoch collection where it was sold without a plate illustration. Pistrucci's notes were quoted in part in the catalogue and in relation to this piece his notes translate as:-This St George is the finest work I have done in my life with the graving-tool, and for this reason the public will excuse if it is not so fine as the later ones; besides, it was spoiled through mechanical operations at the Mint, or by accident, or maliciously, in order that my work should appear before the public more imperfect than that which I knew to be without taste.
Most likely ex Benedetto Pistrucci collection and subsequently J G Murdoch collection, Sothebys, 15 March 1904, lot 189, sold for £2/12/-, ex Sotheby, 26 April 1996, lot 640; Baldwin's Auction Ltd, auction 79, May 2013, lot 935.
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| Realized $48,000 |
