Heritage World Coin Auctions
NYINC Signature Sale 3071 6-7 Jan 2019
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Great Britain
Victoria bronze Proof Pattern 1/20 Shilling (Penny) 1859 PR66 Brown Cameo NGC, Peck-1981, Freeman-686 (rated R19: 2-5 known). Plain edge, medal rotation. By James Wyon. A superb specimen showing splendid dark-chocolate colored and mirrored surfaces. Edge partially split open, supposedly as on all known examples of this extremely rare piece. Perhaps the most interesting aspect of this pattern is the arrangement of the queen's dangling earring, which apparently is meant to suggest a cluster of jewels. Peck makes no mention of this, commenting instead on the arrangement of the jewels of the diadem, or small crown. All in all, this beautifully preserved example is one of the more charming varieties among the official patterns made for the anticipated decimal coinage which never came to be. The bronze coinage that commenced in 1860 emerged in its stead, and the crowned portraiture pieces such as this were later used to inspire a variety of Colonial issues, including those for Canada. All replaced the earlier, all-copper coinages, which was a principal purpose behind the idea of the decimal concept: a lighter coin that cost less to produce but would endure better in commerce, being made of a harder alloy. An interesting, appealing, and truly rare coin.
HID02901242017
Estimate: 2500-3500 USD
Victoria bronze Proof Pattern 1/20 Shilling (Penny) 1859 PR66 Brown Cameo NGC, Peck-1981, Freeman-686 (rated R19: 2-5 known). Plain edge, medal rotation. By James Wyon. A superb specimen showing splendid dark-chocolate colored and mirrored surfaces. Edge partially split open, supposedly as on all known examples of this extremely rare piece. Perhaps the most interesting aspect of this pattern is the arrangement of the queen's dangling earring, which apparently is meant to suggest a cluster of jewels. Peck makes no mention of this, commenting instead on the arrangement of the jewels of the diadem, or small crown. All in all, this beautifully preserved example is one of the more charming varieties among the official patterns made for the anticipated decimal coinage which never came to be. The bronze coinage that commenced in 1860 emerged in its stead, and the crowned portraiture pieces such as this were later used to inspire a variety of Colonial issues, including those for Canada. All replaced the earlier, all-copper coinages, which was a principal purpose behind the idea of the decimal concept: a lighter coin that cost less to produce but would endure better in commerce, being made of a harder alloy. An interesting, appealing, and truly rare coin.
HID02901242017
Estimate: 2500-3500 USD