The New York Sale
Auction 49 15 Jan 2020
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Great Britain
Edward VII (1901-10), Silver Matt Proof Crown of Five Shillings, 1902. Obverse design by George William De Saulles, bare head right, DES below truncation for engraver George William De Saulles, legend and outer toothed border surrounding, EDWARDVS VII DEI: GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX FID: DEF: IND: IMP:, rev. design by Benedetto Pistrucci, St George and dragon right, date in exergue, B.P. initials to upper right for designer Benedetto Pistrucci, outer toothed border surrounding, edge inscribed in raised letters, DECUS ET TUTAMEN * ANNO REGNI II *, weight 28.17g (Bull 3562; ESC 362; L&S 2; Davies 1530; KM.803; S.3979). Toned, practically as struck mint state. Value $250 - UP
This date 1902 is the only time a matt finish coinage has been produced thus far for a UK Coronation set of coins and was already a trend in vogue for medallions at that time. The engraver of these coins was George William De Saulles who sadly died aged 41 the year after these sets were issued, and who had a personal preference for the matt finish having first produced Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee Royal Mint medallions of 1897 with the same finish. The mint issued the proof sets as either "long sets" which included the gold Five Pounds and Two Pounds, or as "short sets" which was from the gold Sovereign down to the maundy penny. Both sets included the silver matt proof Crown of which the mintage totalled 15,123 pieces.
The Latin legend on the obverse translates as "Edward the Seventh, by the grace of God, King of all the Britons, Defender of the Faith, Emperor of India."
Purchased from Spink and Son Ltd, 20th November 2000.
Edward VII (1901-10), Silver Matt Proof Crown of Five Shillings, 1902. Obverse design by George William De Saulles, bare head right, DES below truncation for engraver George William De Saulles, legend and outer toothed border surrounding, EDWARDVS VII DEI: GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX FID: DEF: IND: IMP:, rev. design by Benedetto Pistrucci, St George and dragon right, date in exergue, B.P. initials to upper right for designer Benedetto Pistrucci, outer toothed border surrounding, edge inscribed in raised letters, DECUS ET TUTAMEN * ANNO REGNI II *, weight 28.17g (Bull 3562; ESC 362; L&S 2; Davies 1530; KM.803; S.3979). Toned, practically as struck mint state. Value $250 - UP
This date 1902 is the only time a matt finish coinage has been produced thus far for a UK Coronation set of coins and was already a trend in vogue for medallions at that time. The engraver of these coins was George William De Saulles who sadly died aged 41 the year after these sets were issued, and who had a personal preference for the matt finish having first produced Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee Royal Mint medallions of 1897 with the same finish. The mint issued the proof sets as either "long sets" which included the gold Five Pounds and Two Pounds, or as "short sets" which was from the gold Sovereign down to the maundy penny. Both sets included the silver matt proof Crown of which the mintage totalled 15,123 pieces.
The Latin legend on the obverse translates as "Edward the Seventh, by the grace of God, King of all the Britons, Defender of the Faith, Emperor of India."
Purchased from Spink and Son Ltd, 20th November 2000.