Baldwin's of St. James's
Auction 20 26 Sep 2018
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British Coins, Victoria, proof sovereign, 1838, plain edge, young head l., rev. crowned shield of arms within wreath (S.3852; W&R.300 [R4, 11-20 known]; DM.202), a lovely coin indeed, certified and graded by PCGS as Proof 64 Deep Cameo, exceptionally rare as a proof date, among the finest known and the only example graded PF64DC by PCGS
This splendid sovereign, seen normally only in the finest of advanced collections, was the product of one of the most skilled die engravers in history, William Wyon. It is very similar to his patterns of 1837 and 1838 (WR.296-299) but here on this proof we see Victoria more lifelike, with a fuller neck and face, her portrait in fact a bit larger than on any of the patterns (which are also denoted by the presence of a tiny star-like rose on each side of the date). Evidently Wyon was experimenting with the overall appearance, adjusting the size of the image of the queen as well as the placement of the royal titles. The final proof, as seen here, is a stunning testament to the engraver's sense of artistic perfection.
(14000-16000 GBP)
This splendid sovereign, seen normally only in the finest of advanced collections, was the product of one of the most skilled die engravers in history, William Wyon. It is very similar to his patterns of 1837 and 1838 (WR.296-299) but here on this proof we see Victoria more lifelike, with a fuller neck and face, her portrait in fact a bit larger than on any of the patterns (which are also denoted by the presence of a tiny star-like rose on each side of the date). Evidently Wyon was experimenting with the overall appearance, adjusting the size of the image of the queen as well as the placement of the royal titles. The final proof, as seen here, is a stunning testament to the engraver's sense of artistic perfection.
(14000-16000 GBP)