St. James's Auctions
Auction 32 19 May 2015
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William IV, pattern sovereign, 1830, plain edge, bare head r., rev. crowned shield of arms (S.3829B; W&R.260 [R5]), some light abrasions from handling but boldly struck with deeply mirrored fields and in a plastic holder, graded by NGC as Proof 62 ULTRA CAMEO
This lovely coin was the pattern for the short-lived sovereign issue of this king, uncle of the princess Victoria and long known for his service to the Royal Navy. As the brother of George IV, he bore much resemblance, as does his portrait, which following long tradition faced in the opposite direction to that of his predecessor. The splendid reverse was engraved by the Frenchman J. B. Merlen, whose talents at the mint were directed mainly towards crests and seals and badges, at which he excelled; he suffered much as Pistrucci had, not being permitted to advance in the engraving department as he was not British, and yet he produced a truly exquisite regal shield, a work of art, as seen on this prototype pattern. All sovereigns of William IV are difficult to locate in grades lacking wear, but even a Gem MS coin lacks the eye-appeal of this frosted cameo proof with its royal portrait 'floating' against a watery field made of nearly pure gold.
Estimate: £12,500-15,000
This lovely coin was the pattern for the short-lived sovereign issue of this king, uncle of the princess Victoria and long known for his service to the Royal Navy. As the brother of George IV, he bore much resemblance, as does his portrait, which following long tradition faced in the opposite direction to that of his predecessor. The splendid reverse was engraved by the Frenchman J. B. Merlen, whose talents at the mint were directed mainly towards crests and seals and badges, at which he excelled; he suffered much as Pistrucci had, not being permitted to advance in the engraving department as he was not British, and yet he produced a truly exquisite regal shield, a work of art, as seen on this prototype pattern. All sovereigns of William IV are difficult to locate in grades lacking wear, but even a Gem MS coin lacks the eye-appeal of this frosted cameo proof with its royal portrait 'floating' against a watery field made of nearly pure gold.
Estimate: £12,500-15,000