G British Coins, George III, pattern five pounds, 1820, ANNO REGNI LX, raised lettered edge, laur. head r., rev. St. George and the dragon (S.3783; W&R.177 [R4]), light surface hairlines, also a short scratch behind the horse’s tail to the rim, the orange-peel texture of the fields and the deep frosting of the motifs remain as a testament to the proofing technique of the Royal Mint at this time, very rare and always of keen interest to collectors, brilliant, certified and graded by PCGS as Proof 63 Deep Cameo
*ex Slaney Collection, where it sold for a hammer price of £300,000 + premium
One of the very last coins designed-and minted-during the long reign of George III, this wonderful coin was not actually struck until shortly after the king's death. Pistrucci was still putting the finishing touches on the dies, trying hard to finish the work before the king passed away, but it was not to be. It seems he was finalising the engraving just as the king took his last breath. In all there were four dies-obverse or portrait and reverse (St. George) for each of the two denominations, the 5-sovereigns as it was originally called, seen here, and the 2-sovereigns piece. Each coin was struck with either plain edge or raised lettered edge indicating the 60th year of the reign. A total of only 25 pieces was made of this £5 pattern. It is believed that William Wyon assisted in finishing the dies, including adding the sword held by Saint George, replacing the broken lance of the original Pistrucci design at the insistence of mint-master W.W. Pole. This coin ranks as one of the most beautiful of all British coins.
(300000-350000 GBP)