Stanley Gibbons Baldwin's
Auction 79 8 May 2013
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BRITISH COINS
The Bentley Collection of British Milled Gold Sovereigns
Uniface Trial Reverse for a Sovereign of 1821 struck in Lead
George IV, Uniface Base Metal Trial Reverse for a Sovereign, undated (c.1821), struck in lead on a slightly oversize thick flan, by Benedetto Pistrucci, St George, helmeted with streamer and cloak, slaying dragon right with sword, held by a left hand only, thin broken lance on ground, trace of WWP on ground-line, B.P. in exergue, all within a linear raised circle, 10.87g, 24mm to 24.3mm, thickness 2mm (WR -; Douglas-Morris -). Lightly corroded, "squeezed" in lead from the die and of ovoid form, otherwise very fine, perhaps unique.
This piece appears to be a later rendering of the reverse and appears to be close to the final design used for currency. Trials of this nature are usually only ever "squeezed" from a working die in uniface format in base metal because impressions can be taken from an unhardened die. Silver and gold require a hardened die, after which further work on the die is not possible.
Estimate: £800-1000
The Bentley Collection of British Milled Gold Sovereigns
Uniface Trial Reverse for a Sovereign of 1821 struck in Lead
George IV, Uniface Base Metal Trial Reverse for a Sovereign, undated (c.1821), struck in lead on a slightly oversize thick flan, by Benedetto Pistrucci, St George, helmeted with streamer and cloak, slaying dragon right with sword, held by a left hand only, thin broken lance on ground, trace of WWP on ground-line, B.P. in exergue, all within a linear raised circle, 10.87g, 24mm to 24.3mm, thickness 2mm (WR -; Douglas-Morris -). Lightly corroded, "squeezed" in lead from the die and of ovoid form, otherwise very fine, perhaps unique.
This piece appears to be a later rendering of the reverse and appears to be close to the final design used for currency. Trials of this nature are usually only ever "squeezed" from a working die in uniface format in base metal because impressions can be taken from an unhardened die. Silver and gold require a hardened die, after which further work on the die is not possible.
Estimate: £800-1000