Watch List notes:

Israel. Extremely Rare Pattern Coins and a Medal. Before deciding on the final design of the first-ever officially sponsored and minted medal (Judaea Capta/ Israel Liberata) in 1958, several patterns were struck by John Pinches of London. Rejected trial strikes are known to exist in copper and silver-plate with diameters of 27 mm, 42 mm, 43 mm and 45 mm. This lot includes one of the very desirable 27mm Pinches patterns, ex-J J Van Grover, brown uncirculated. Israel issued only one coin dated in their first year of independence (1948)-the 25 mils denomination. Sheqel.info indicates that "Uniface, reverse only; few dozen minted." There are 2 examples of this great rarity in this lot, both weighing 3.1 gm (as they should), grading Extremely Fine. An important group for a serious collector. Estimate Value $500 - UP
The Roger Merritt Collection.