Lot 2286
Great Britain. Pattern silver Halfpenny (1712-14). Queen Anne. Undated. Peck-727. 29 mm in diameter. Rated "extremely rare" by Peck. A lovely complement (Peck calls it "among the most attractive in the whole copper series") to the several silver pattern farthings in this sale, and all prospective bidders should review our comments about these issues made under those lots. This is a fascinating coin, made under the direction of mint master Sir Isaac Newton, one of the most notable of England's scientific thinkers of that age. Reverse features an early, sharply engraved Britannia motif, which in fact bears more than slight resemblance to Queen Anne herself, in facial features and body style. Above her, suspended in the air, a crown. The obverse portrait is sharply engraved. In this pattern we see a big step made by the Royal Mint towards more modern-looking copper coins, which were to come shortly in the reigns of George I and II, the first Hanovers. But in Anne's time the only issued coppers were the rare farthings of 1714. A series of patterns for the coming halfpenny was made, of which this is an excellent example. Peck claims (page 183) that this was struck during Anne's final year, or perhaps even shortly after her death, in 1714. Edge not viewable in the slab. Struck as a Proof, with striated edge, and should be labeled PR58. An ancient long scuff on the queen's cheek, and a number of tiny abrasions in the fields, but these are typical of early patterns and should not be seen as serious impairments in a 300-year-old coin. Double-struck reverse on the border, showing an entire extra row of denticles from 1 to 7 o'clock! Reflective surfaces remain, and the coin is blessed by gorgeous silver-gray toning with some sparkling iridescence, creating exceptionally fine eye-appeal. Peck believed that only 2 pieces were known to exist. NGC graded AU-58.
Estimated Value $3,250 - 3,500.
The Cheshire Collection.
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