Lot 2290
Great Britain. Pattern Farthing in silver, 1714. Queen Anne. Peck-758. Britannia seated on globe, but now her left arm is raised to hold the spear or trident at its upper end. Peck does not mention this, but the globe now has a different curl to its cartouche, which is also the version that appears on the commercial issue. Flan 23mm in diameter. Style as used for the 1714 copper pieces, showing bifurcated letters on "ANNA." This is a later issue, a so-called Restrike most probably made unofficially inside the Royal Mint, within 40 years of the queen's death. The likely reason was to satisfy collector demand for a rarity, but despite most authors' suggestions of wrongdoing it is probable that affection for the late monarch had much to do with any restriking activity. However you see it, this pattern remains very rare in any condition, and few could match the quality and eye-appeal of the Cheshire Collection specimen. Two-tone gray surfaces, with bluish amber iridescence. NGC graded Proof 63.
All interested collectors should take the time to read Peck's comments about the early British coppers, and particularly those of this monarch (see pages 175-179 and 186 in the 2nd edition of his classic reference) before bidding on any Anne patterns. Without his historical perspective, the coins are little more than crude curiosities. Reading about their origin brings them back to life, and infuses the coppers with a charm so frequently associated in American numismatics with the comments of Sheldon on copper cents of the 1790s to early 1800s. In particular, Peck revives the memory of the mint master of this era, Sir Isaac Newton, early scientist of the Age of Inquiry, explaining that Newton wished the royal coppers to be of such a consistent quality that they would be popularly regarded as something more than the traditional "subsidiary coinage" of little merit. The mint master's desire for purity also points to perhaps a new perspective on the patterns in gold and silver, that they are far more than mere pieces of caprice. Additionally, Peck provides some perspective on these coins from the contemporary public, and also comments that earlier numismatists' belief that the rare 1714 farthings, which many thought to be later-made mementos because few were ever seen well worn, were in fact made in 1714 and distributed for circulation, but kept as charms by Anne's subjects, who mourned her passing.
Estimated Value $2,000 - 2,400.
The Cheshire Collection.
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