Great Britain. Pattern Guinea or Sovereign, Undated (1816). George III. By Mills, struck in copper. As Wilson and Rasmussen #182. Rarity 7. Possibly unique, one or two specimens known. Edge plain. Obverse; Short haired laureate bust of King facing right, with profile similar to that seen on the adopted sovereign design. Reverse; Crowned shield of royal arms. Well struck and of excellent workmanship. MILLS in relatively large letters on truncation. Mint state. An extremely rare piece. NGC graded MS-62 Brown. WINGS. Estimate Value $800 - 1,000
* George Mills (1792-1824) was considered by his patron Mr Benjamin West to be the finest medallist of the early 19th century and he gained three gold medals from the Royal Society of Arts for his works. Mills was employed at Matthew Boulton's Soho Mint, created in Birmingham in 1788, and while there he produced several coinage patterns. This is the most important.
Wilson and Rasmussen note that this design is believed to be a 'Petition' on the engraver's part in an effort to obtain the post of Chief Engraver at the Royal Mint. At the time of printing W+R state that they were unable to verify this coin's existence. Mills was never employed at the Royal Mint and failed to realise his full potential, because of his untimely death. Nevertheless he engraved for James Mudie a silver pattern crown of George III and a pattern crown of George IV in collaboration with Whiteaves. Although he died at the age of 32, some of Mills' creations can be seen in the British Museum.