George IV (1820-30), silver Proof Halfcrown, 1826, bare head left, date below, legend and toothed border surrounding, GEORGIVS IV DEI GRATIA, rev. crowned helm with garnish over quartered shield of arms, incorporating the Arms of Hanover as an escutcheon, garter motto on banner below, DIEU ET MON DROIT, legend surrounding, BRITANNIARUM REX FID: DEF:, weight 14.16g (Bull 2376; Davies 192; ESC 647; S.3808). Attractively toned, just a few very light hairlines, practically as struck, good extremely fine.
The new Chief Engraver William Wyon produced his first proof designs for the 1825-26 coinage of which this Halfcrown is an example of the mastery of his engraving technique. Such coins would have constituted the second largest silver coin in the full proof set dated 1826, of which it is thought no more than circa 400 were released.
Provenance:
Ex A. H. Baldwin, 1945 for £1/1-.
Ex Slaney Collection, part I, Spink Coin Auction, 15th May 2003, lot 255.