St. James's Auctions
Auction 32 19 May 2015
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Victoria, sovereign, 1848, first (small) young head l., rev. crowned shield of arms within wreath (S.3852; M.31A), extremely fine, exceedingly rare
*ex Bentley Collection, Baldwins Auctions, 8 May 2012, lot 55
This humble-looking sovereign is indeed subtle in its difference from other 1848 sovereigns, most survivors of this year, by a large margin, being of the second, slightly larger portrait style. At the Mint in this year a determined examination of die-life led to this change, as ably explained in the Bentley sale catalogue (8 May 2012, lot 55 footnote), in which the cataloguer called this coin 'One of the unsung great rarities in the shield sovereign series of Queen Victoria'. More than a century passed before it was recognized. This specimen, now famous, clearly figures among the finest survivors. Offered in this lot is far more than a mere rarity: if it goes into a long-held collection, its equal may never be available.
Estimate: £5000-6000
*ex Bentley Collection, Baldwins Auctions, 8 May 2012, lot 55
This humble-looking sovereign is indeed subtle in its difference from other 1848 sovereigns, most survivors of this year, by a large margin, being of the second, slightly larger portrait style. At the Mint in this year a determined examination of die-life led to this change, as ably explained in the Bentley sale catalogue (8 May 2012, lot 55 footnote), in which the cataloguer called this coin 'One of the unsung great rarities in the shield sovereign series of Queen Victoria'. More than a century passed before it was recognized. This specimen, now famous, clearly figures among the finest survivors. Offered in this lot is far more than a mere rarity: if it goes into a long-held collection, its equal may never be available.
Estimate: £5000-6000