Heritage World Coin Auctions
NYINC Signature Sale 3071 6-7 Jan 2019
View prices realized
► Sale information
Find similar lots
Great Britain
Victoria gold Proof Pattern Medal ND (c. 1887) PR63 Cameo NGC, 10.16gm. By L. C. Lauer for Adolph Weyl. Presumed unique, a pattern in gold for an uncertain denomination; attributed by various sources at different times as being a Two Pounds, Florin, Halfcrown, Penny... however, being uniface and unsigned, this will likely remain a question unanswered.
This piece was offered in the famous Murdoch collection (Sotheby's, 1904, lot 541, where it appeared together with an 1887 pattern half-farthing in gold), an impressive provenance which substantiates its rarity and quality.
The blank reverse shows minute engraving of a number, presumably related to the clear trial status of this piece. Lauer's patterns often did not correspond to British weight standards, and this piece could simply be a portrait trial produced for the Queen's approval. The portrait of Victoria featured here is rather different to the adopted design in 1893, representing the Queen in three-quarters with her head slightly turned. It is the same depiction as featured on the 'Spink & Son' patterns of 1887, the gold Crown, tin Crown and silver Sixpence of which are also included in this sale. Designed for Victoria's jubilee and yet bearing a greater similarity to the 1893 portrait, this type can almost be said to be the 'missing link' between the two portraits. Thoroughly glossy fields draw in the eye, Victoria's portrait delicately frosted above, the production quality extremely high; beautiful in its design and execution, and of highest rarity.
Ex. Murdoch Collection
HID02901242017
Estimate: 9000-12000 USD
Victoria gold Proof Pattern Medal ND (c. 1887) PR63 Cameo NGC, 10.16gm. By L. C. Lauer for Adolph Weyl. Presumed unique, a pattern in gold for an uncertain denomination; attributed by various sources at different times as being a Two Pounds, Florin, Halfcrown, Penny... however, being uniface and unsigned, this will likely remain a question unanswered.
This piece was offered in the famous Murdoch collection (Sotheby's, 1904, lot 541, where it appeared together with an 1887 pattern half-farthing in gold), an impressive provenance which substantiates its rarity and quality.
The blank reverse shows minute engraving of a number, presumably related to the clear trial status of this piece. Lauer's patterns often did not correspond to British weight standards, and this piece could simply be a portrait trial produced for the Queen's approval. The portrait of Victoria featured here is rather different to the adopted design in 1893, representing the Queen in three-quarters with her head slightly turned. It is the same depiction as featured on the 'Spink & Son' patterns of 1887, the gold Crown, tin Crown and silver Sixpence of which are also included in this sale. Designed for Victoria's jubilee and yet bearing a greater similarity to the 1893 portrait, this type can almost be said to be the 'missing link' between the two portraits. Thoroughly glossy fields draw in the eye, Victoria's portrait delicately frosted above, the production quality extremely high; beautiful in its design and execution, and of highest rarity.
Ex. Murdoch Collection
HID02901242017
Estimate: 9000-12000 USD