Heritage World Coin Auctions
NYINC Signature Sale 3071 6-7 Jan 2019
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Great Britain
Victoria gold Proof Pattern Crown 1887 PR65 Ultra Cameo NGC, ESC-2678 (6 struck), W&R-370 (R5). By L. C. Lauer and J. Rochelle Thomas for Spink & Son. Simply a delight to behold: an immense numismatic treasure of exceptional rarity. There is nothing else quite like the gold pattern Crowns in the British numismatic series; collectors are used to marveling at 5 Guineas and 5 Pound coins, but the vast majority of these top-denominations all follow similar, rather repetitive styles. We see almost every 5 Guinea feature the same cruciform-shield-and-sceptre reverse, whilst every 5 Pound coin from 1893 onwards bears the St. George and dragon design. The gold Crowns however invite an entirely different effect, their engraving often of a style unique in gold, breathing new life into this elite metal.
The present offering is no exception. This design was produced in 1887 as a proposal for Victoria's new 'jubilee' coinage; the Queen's 50th year on the throne inspired the production of a myriad of patterns, each vying to replace the 'young head' portrait used since Victoria's coronation in 1837. This particular type was produced for Spink & Son and exhibits a marked departure from the normal 'canon' of British coinage. The dual concentric circles bordering the obverse contain legends in English (an element not seen on British coins since the Commonwealth series of the 1650s), which elegantly frames Victoria's artful portrait depicted in unusual three-quarter view. The devices are marvelously engraved and seem to float on the deep mirror fields, incised in medium-relief yet containing excellent depth of detail and a luxurious coat of frost. Rare in any metal, this pattern exudes beauty and skill in copper, silver and tin, but the effect of its strike in gold creates extraordinary eye appeal.
The single highest specimen graded by NGC, this enigmatic gold pattern is remarkable for its triple virtues of beauty, rarity and exceptional preservation. An example graded PR63 Ultra Cameo NGC sold at Auction World's October 2018 sale for an impressive $90,500, and we expect even greater excitement for this superlative gem-grade rarity. Destined for only the most outstanding cabinet of British pattern gold.
HID02901242017
Estimate: 100000-150000 USD
Victoria gold Proof Pattern Crown 1887 PR65 Ultra Cameo NGC, ESC-2678 (6 struck), W&R-370 (R5). By L. C. Lauer and J. Rochelle Thomas for Spink & Son. Simply a delight to behold: an immense numismatic treasure of exceptional rarity. There is nothing else quite like the gold pattern Crowns in the British numismatic series; collectors are used to marveling at 5 Guineas and 5 Pound coins, but the vast majority of these top-denominations all follow similar, rather repetitive styles. We see almost every 5 Guinea feature the same cruciform-shield-and-sceptre reverse, whilst every 5 Pound coin from 1893 onwards bears the St. George and dragon design. The gold Crowns however invite an entirely different effect, their engraving often of a style unique in gold, breathing new life into this elite metal.
The present offering is no exception. This design was produced in 1887 as a proposal for Victoria's new 'jubilee' coinage; the Queen's 50th year on the throne inspired the production of a myriad of patterns, each vying to replace the 'young head' portrait used since Victoria's coronation in 1837. This particular type was produced for Spink & Son and exhibits a marked departure from the normal 'canon' of British coinage. The dual concentric circles bordering the obverse contain legends in English (an element not seen on British coins since the Commonwealth series of the 1650s), which elegantly frames Victoria's artful portrait depicted in unusual three-quarter view. The devices are marvelously engraved and seem to float on the deep mirror fields, incised in medium-relief yet containing excellent depth of detail and a luxurious coat of frost. Rare in any metal, this pattern exudes beauty and skill in copper, silver and tin, but the effect of its strike in gold creates extraordinary eye appeal.
The single highest specimen graded by NGC, this enigmatic gold pattern is remarkable for its triple virtues of beauty, rarity and exceptional preservation. An example graded PR63 Ultra Cameo NGC sold at Auction World's October 2018 sale for an impressive $90,500, and we expect even greater excitement for this superlative gem-grade rarity. Destined for only the most outstanding cabinet of British pattern gold.
HID02901242017
Estimate: 100000-150000 USD