Heritage World Coin Auctions
March Signature Sale 3096 25-27 Mar 2021
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Great Britain
Victoria gold Proof "Una and the Lion" 5 Pounds 1839 PR63 Ultra Cameo NGC, KM742, Fr-386, S-3851, W&R-279 (R2). By William Wyon. A fully frosted and magnificently choice example of what is arguably the most iconic coin of the entire centuries-long British series--the Una and the Lion 5 Pounds by William Wyon. The type, inspired by "The Faerie Queen" of Edmund Spencer depicting the young Victoria as Una guiding the lion (Britain), remains revered across the world for its quality production, as well as its stellar design, one wholly unique for its time. The "Una," issued as part of Victoria's coronation Proof set, is widely considered one of Britain's most beautiful issues. Though a very rare type with a mintage of just 400, there are a number of varieties of the "Una and the Lion" 5 Pounds; Wilson and Rasmussen identify a total of nine. While each has its own rarity rating in their book, ranging from R2 to R7, these are essentially irrelevant to the collector because of the overall rarity of the type.
Rich golden frost overlies the devices, yielding a sumptuous display of both the Queen's youthful portrait and the reverse Una motif. The fields, meanwhile, are highly mirrored and nearly jet-black at a straight view, creating a sublime visual juxtaposition with these features--a cameo contrast that is not only complete but clearly visible from all viewing angles. A scratch crossing from the back of Victoria's neck through her lowest hair curls is noted for accuracy, in addition to light hairlines that represent the norm for the type. Of those examples NGC has certified of the W&R-279 variety (the variety included in the Proof set), only two currently rank finer, a testament to the fine quality displayed by the present offering. In this fervent market for high-tier and rare coinage, we expect strong bidding for the ownership of this choice selection.
https://coins.ha.com/itm/great-britain/great-britain-victoria-gold-proof-una-and-the-lion-5-pounds-1839-pr63-ultra-cameo-ngc-/a/3096-30325.s?type=CoinArchives3096
HID02906262019
© 2020 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved
Estimate: 150000-250000 USD
Victoria gold Proof "Una and the Lion" 5 Pounds 1839 PR63 Ultra Cameo NGC, KM742, Fr-386, S-3851, W&R-279 (R2). By William Wyon. A fully frosted and magnificently choice example of what is arguably the most iconic coin of the entire centuries-long British series--the Una and the Lion 5 Pounds by William Wyon. The type, inspired by "The Faerie Queen" of Edmund Spencer depicting the young Victoria as Una guiding the lion (Britain), remains revered across the world for its quality production, as well as its stellar design, one wholly unique for its time. The "Una," issued as part of Victoria's coronation Proof set, is widely considered one of Britain's most beautiful issues. Though a very rare type with a mintage of just 400, there are a number of varieties of the "Una and the Lion" 5 Pounds; Wilson and Rasmussen identify a total of nine. While each has its own rarity rating in their book, ranging from R2 to R7, these are essentially irrelevant to the collector because of the overall rarity of the type.
Rich golden frost overlies the devices, yielding a sumptuous display of both the Queen's youthful portrait and the reverse Una motif. The fields, meanwhile, are highly mirrored and nearly jet-black at a straight view, creating a sublime visual juxtaposition with these features--a cameo contrast that is not only complete but clearly visible from all viewing angles. A scratch crossing from the back of Victoria's neck through her lowest hair curls is noted for accuracy, in addition to light hairlines that represent the norm for the type. Of those examples NGC has certified of the W&R-279 variety (the variety included in the Proof set), only two currently rank finer, a testament to the fine quality displayed by the present offering. In this fervent market for high-tier and rare coinage, we expect strong bidding for the ownership of this choice selection.
https://coins.ha.com/itm/great-britain/great-britain-victoria-gold-proof-una-and-the-lion-5-pounds-1839-pr63-ultra-cameo-ngc-/a/3096-30325.s?type=CoinArchives3096
HID02906262019
© 2020 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved
Estimate: 150000-250000 USD