Heritage World Coin Auctions
CSNS Signature Sale 3073 25-26 & 29 Apr 2019
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Great Britain
Victoria Proof "Royal Cypher" Pattern Florin 1848 PR64 PCGS, ESC-896. By W. Wyon and W. Dyce. A magnificent coin! Arguably one of the most unsung masterpieces of Victorian coinage, and scarcely found as fine as this. The 1840s through to the 1860s was a time of active experimentation in British coinage, with many new designs and innovations introduced; the Florin represented an effort to 'decimalise', to simplify the overly complex system of interlocking denominations within the British numismatic series (an effort which had been suggested as early as 1682). Being worth 2 Shillings, ten Florins equaled one Pound, a step in the right direction, and in 1847 Wyon and Dyce were tasked with designing this new denomination from the ground up. Clearly, from the number of patterns created in 1848, this was clearly not a cut-and-dried task. The pair designed pieces bearing multiple different names including 'Centum', 'Decade' and even 'Dime', but ultimately settled on 'Florin' as the Netherlands had a contemporary Gulden coin known as a Florin of the same size and value.
Of all the proposed designs, the Royal Cypher must be the most beautiful; whereas other patterns feature a simple 'value within wreath' reverse, this piece exhibits a stunning complexity entirely unlike anything which either precedes or succeeds it. Nonetheless, the same Gothic spirit is clearly as present here as in the later adopted design, Victoria's regnal cypher surrounded by Gothic arches and national symbols of startling intricacy. Wyon's portrait is worthy of celebration, Victoria depicted with a laureate wreath for the first time, sensitively rendered exuding the youth and innocence of the young Queen. Besides the clear skill of the engravers and extremely high-quality production, this piece is magnificently represented in near-gem grade, scarcely handled and entirely covered in a blue and red opalescence over mirror surfaces which still shimmer despite the tone. Rarely offered, a coin which is sure to attract extreme collector attention for its numismatic significance, fantastic preservation, scarcity and undeniable beauty.
From the Lake County Collection
HID02901242017
Estimate: 4000-6000 USD
Victoria Proof "Royal Cypher" Pattern Florin 1848 PR64 PCGS, ESC-896. By W. Wyon and W. Dyce. A magnificent coin! Arguably one of the most unsung masterpieces of Victorian coinage, and scarcely found as fine as this. The 1840s through to the 1860s was a time of active experimentation in British coinage, with many new designs and innovations introduced; the Florin represented an effort to 'decimalise', to simplify the overly complex system of interlocking denominations within the British numismatic series (an effort which had been suggested as early as 1682). Being worth 2 Shillings, ten Florins equaled one Pound, a step in the right direction, and in 1847 Wyon and Dyce were tasked with designing this new denomination from the ground up. Clearly, from the number of patterns created in 1848, this was clearly not a cut-and-dried task. The pair designed pieces bearing multiple different names including 'Centum', 'Decade' and even 'Dime', but ultimately settled on 'Florin' as the Netherlands had a contemporary Gulden coin known as a Florin of the same size and value.
Of all the proposed designs, the Royal Cypher must be the most beautiful; whereas other patterns feature a simple 'value within wreath' reverse, this piece exhibits a stunning complexity entirely unlike anything which either precedes or succeeds it. Nonetheless, the same Gothic spirit is clearly as present here as in the later adopted design, Victoria's regnal cypher surrounded by Gothic arches and national symbols of startling intricacy. Wyon's portrait is worthy of celebration, Victoria depicted with a laureate wreath for the first time, sensitively rendered exuding the youth and innocence of the young Queen. Besides the clear skill of the engravers and extremely high-quality production, this piece is magnificently represented in near-gem grade, scarcely handled and entirely covered in a blue and red opalescence over mirror surfaces which still shimmer despite the tone. Rarely offered, a coin which is sure to attract extreme collector attention for its numismatic significance, fantastic preservation, scarcity and undeniable beauty.
From the Lake County Collection
HID02901242017
Estimate: 4000-6000 USD