Stanley Gibbons Baldwin's
Auction 79 8 May 2013
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BRITISH COINS
The Bentley Collection of British Milled Gold Sovereigns
Extremely Rare Bronzed Copper Proof Sovereign of 1821
George IV, Proof Sovereign, 1821, struck in bronzed copper, engraved by Benedetto Pistrucci, first laureate head left, 13 leaves in laurel wreath, B.P. below, lettering with horizontally ruled interior compartments, GEORGIUS IIII D: G: BRITANNIAR: REX F: D:, milled border between linear concentric circles both sides, rev struck with inverted die axis, St George on horseback slaying dragon right with sword, helmet with crest only, horse tail terminates in three strands, broken lance on ground to left, WWP in relief below, date in exergue, 8 doubled, B.P. to upper right, edge milled, 4.67g, 22.1mm (cf WR 231; Montagu -; Murdoch -; S 3800). Toned with golden hints to milling, extremely fine and of the highest rarity.
ex DNW auction, 21 June 2011, lot 205
Interestingly other denominations for 1821, like the silver Crown, also exist with copper proof strikings of great rarity. Perhaps they were final trials before committing to using more precious metal, in this case, the making of gold proofs of the Sovereign. Pistrucci would have had the right to strike special orders for coins, so it is even possible he acted upon a "VIP" commission to strike examples of certain coins in bronzed copper.
Estimate: £3000-4000
The Bentley Collection of British Milled Gold Sovereigns
Extremely Rare Bronzed Copper Proof Sovereign of 1821
George IV, Proof Sovereign, 1821, struck in bronzed copper, engraved by Benedetto Pistrucci, first laureate head left, 13 leaves in laurel wreath, B.P. below, lettering with horizontally ruled interior compartments, GEORGIUS IIII D: G: BRITANNIAR: REX F: D:, milled border between linear concentric circles both sides, rev struck with inverted die axis, St George on horseback slaying dragon right with sword, helmet with crest only, horse tail terminates in three strands, broken lance on ground to left, WWP in relief below, date in exergue, 8 doubled, B.P. to upper right, edge milled, 4.67g, 22.1mm (cf WR 231; Montagu -; Murdoch -; S 3800). Toned with golden hints to milling, extremely fine and of the highest rarity.
ex DNW auction, 21 June 2011, lot 205
Interestingly other denominations for 1821, like the silver Crown, also exist with copper proof strikings of great rarity. Perhaps they were final trials before committing to using more precious metal, in this case, the making of gold proofs of the Sovereign. Pistrucci would have had the right to strike special orders for coins, so it is even possible he acted upon a "VIP" commission to strike examples of certain coins in bronzed copper.
Estimate: £3000-4000