Baldwin's of St. James's
Auction 27 13 Jan 2019
View prices realized
► Sale information
Find similar lots
British Coins, George V, half sovereign, 1911: lead impression from the obverse matrix of 3 January, 1911, before it was ready for use, the coinage bust l., with full legend, on a wide (25.63mm.) and thick (3.95mm.) planchet, extremely fine
*ex Colin Mackennal Kraay Collection and Baldwin's vault
'After the matrix was hardened two punches were immediately raised from it, but about the 18th March 1911 the matrix was softened and an alteration made to the King's neck. The lead impression shows the prominent neck muscle which the alteration was intended to modify and it is therefore clear that the impression was taken before 18th March. This is confirmed by the fact that the striations on its surface match those on the two punches which were raised in January 1911 but no longer match those on the matrix, the subsequent treatment to the surface of the matrix in March having left a different pattern of polishing lines.'
($650-850)
*ex Colin Mackennal Kraay Collection and Baldwin's vault
'After the matrix was hardened two punches were immediately raised from it, but about the 18th March 1911 the matrix was softened and an alteration made to the King's neck. The lead impression shows the prominent neck muscle which the alteration was intended to modify and it is therefore clear that the impression was taken before 18th March. This is confirmed by the fact that the striations on its surface match those on the two punches which were raised in January 1911 but no longer match those on the matrix, the subsequent treatment to the surface of the matrix in March having left a different pattern of polishing lines.'
($650-850)