Baldwin & Sons
Auction 73 8 May 2012
View prices realized
► Sale information
Find similar lots
THE BENTLEY COLLECTION OF BRITISH MILLED GOLD SOVEREIGNS. Victoria (1837-1901), Pattern Sovereign, 1893, engraved by Allan Wyon (1843-1907), old crowned and veiled bust left, with curved truncation, thick veil covers most of Order of India, sash covers most of Garter Star on breast, toothed border and raised rim both sides, VICTORIA D:G: BRITT: REG: F: D: IND: IMP:, rev struck en médaille, stylised St George attempting to slay dragon left with spear, ONE SOVEREIGN 1893 lightly doubled above, edge plain, 7.88g, 22mm (WR 339 R6, this coin illustrated). Attractively toned, tiny red spot on ground on reverse, as struck and of the highest rarity.
ex George Hamilton Smith Collection, Glendining, 23 May 1927, lot 212
ex Baldwin’s Hong Kong Coin Auction 42, 30 August 2007, lot 1146
This coin is the one used for illustration in the publication, English Pattern Trial and Proof Coins in Gold by Wilson and Rasmussen. The Baldwin copy of Hamilton-Smith notes three known as of 1927 with the milled edge.
In this stylised version of St George and the dragon, the dragon is unscathed and facing to the left rather than the conventional right of the traditional design. This gold pattern is struck to a lesser weight than the currency pieces as is often seen with new proposals which are not meant to be legal tender till designs and subsequent striking is approved. A silver striking of this pattern will be offered for sale in part three.
The Last Coinage of Queen Victoria
It was decided by a Royal Mint committee in February 1891 that the unpopular Jubilee portrait was no longer appropriate and something new was required. Fellows of the Royal Academy were called upon to submit ideas and designs, and the following made submissions:- Edward Onslow Ford ARA sculptor, Edward J Poynter RA painter, Henry N Armstead RA sculptor, Charles A Birch ARA sculptor, Thomas Brock RA sculptor, W Hamo Thornycroft RA sculptor. Interestingly Poynter had been one of the harsh critics of the Jubilee design, so now had a chance to literally prove how good a coin designer he himself was.
However, Thomas Brock’s design won the day and the new older “widow” bust with heavy veil appeared for currency in 1893 to great acclaim. The design was engraved in metal from the designs by the Chief Engraver, George W De Saulles, who later went on to design the obverse for the King Edward VII coinage. Brock’s initials appear below the bust and the titles now significantly include the Empress of India and read thus VICTORIA D:G: BRITT: REG: F: D: IND: IMP: again the coins are struck en médaille with an upright die axis and the St George reverse continues effectively unchanged except in the smallest details, which can vary from die to die. The edges are of course milled.
The Reign of Queen Victoria (1837-1901)
House of Hanover
Born: 24 May 1819
Accession: 20 June 1837
Married: Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, 10 February 1840
Coronation: Thursday 28 June 1838
Children: four sons, five daughters
Died: 22 January 1901, aged 81
Estimate: £10,000-12,000
ex George Hamilton Smith Collection, Glendining, 23 May 1927, lot 212
ex Baldwin’s Hong Kong Coin Auction 42, 30 August 2007, lot 1146
This coin is the one used for illustration in the publication, English Pattern Trial and Proof Coins in Gold by Wilson and Rasmussen. The Baldwin copy of Hamilton-Smith notes three known as of 1927 with the milled edge.
In this stylised version of St George and the dragon, the dragon is unscathed and facing to the left rather than the conventional right of the traditional design. This gold pattern is struck to a lesser weight than the currency pieces as is often seen with new proposals which are not meant to be legal tender till designs and subsequent striking is approved. A silver striking of this pattern will be offered for sale in part three.
The Last Coinage of Queen Victoria
It was decided by a Royal Mint committee in February 1891 that the unpopular Jubilee portrait was no longer appropriate and something new was required. Fellows of the Royal Academy were called upon to submit ideas and designs, and the following made submissions:- Edward Onslow Ford ARA sculptor, Edward J Poynter RA painter, Henry N Armstead RA sculptor, Charles A Birch ARA sculptor, Thomas Brock RA sculptor, W Hamo Thornycroft RA sculptor. Interestingly Poynter had been one of the harsh critics of the Jubilee design, so now had a chance to literally prove how good a coin designer he himself was.
However, Thomas Brock’s design won the day and the new older “widow” bust with heavy veil appeared for currency in 1893 to great acclaim. The design was engraved in metal from the designs by the Chief Engraver, George W De Saulles, who later went on to design the obverse for the King Edward VII coinage. Brock’s initials appear below the bust and the titles now significantly include the Empress of India and read thus VICTORIA D:G: BRITT: REG: F: D: IND: IMP: again the coins are struck en médaille with an upright die axis and the St George reverse continues effectively unchanged except in the smallest details, which can vary from die to die. The edges are of course milled.
The Reign of Queen Victoria (1837-1901)
House of Hanover
Born: 24 May 1819
Accession: 20 June 1837
Married: Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, 10 February 1840
Coronation: Thursday 28 June 1838
Children: four sons, five daughters
Died: 22 January 1901, aged 81
Estimate: £10,000-12,000