GB. silver. 1825. Crown. PCGS PR64. UNC Proof. George IV Silver Crown of 5 Shillings Pattern. 28.27g. .925. 38.00mm. Toned

Description:This effigy of King George IV in proof exists only in the proof coin set minted in 1826 and this pattern coin. And the latter is rarer than the former, making it one of the hardest-to-come-by coins produced in the UK. Originally, a Roman-emperor-like effigy engraved by Benedetto Pistrucci, who had done that of George III, was planned to be used but it is said that it wasn’t in accord with George IV’s taste. Instead, the effigy was done by William Wyon, the new chief engraver of the Royal Mint. Depicted as a suave British gentleman close to the style of the King’s favorite sculptor Francis Legatt Chantrey, this became one of the earliest works by Wyon in proof coinage.