Lot 3058
Great Britain. Pattern silver Penny, 1860. Victoria. Peck-2111 (called "very rare"). Designed by Joseph Moore of Birmingham; the restrike by Shorthouse showing die-rust (from original dies found in Moore's warehouse in 1886). The story of these exquisite pieces may be found on pages 483-487 of Peck, 2nd edition. Original strikes from 1860, which were an unsuccessful entreaty for the Royal Mint to consider designs for the bronze coinage which was about to commence, are exceedingly rare. Restrikes of 1886 are themselves quite rare, having been struck in various metals in very small numbers. It's a pity the design was not accepted for the new bronzes, as they showed a delightful Laureate Head of Victoria facing left, and on the reverse a seated Britannia looking out "toward the Empire" and garbed in flowing robes, holding trident and shield and other symbolic implements. The accepted designs, now classics in the Penny series, are no more deserving of praise as works of art than the Moore patterns, which are important "period pieces." This delightful example is a very choice Proof, and in fact is one of the finest of these to be found. A near-Gem with gorgeous gray toning having iridescent highlights ranging from pale golden hues to flashes of mauve and green. NGC graded Proof 64.
Estimated Value $1,750 - 2,000.
The Cheshire Collection.
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