Watch List notes:

Victoria (1837-1901), Proof Gothic Florin, 1851, milled edge, crowned bust left, rev. crowned cruciform shields (S.3891; ESC.804'R5'; Bull 2918 'R5'). As struck, delightfully toned and problem free, encapsulated by NGC as PF64. The 1851 Florin was the first 'Gothic' Florin ever issued and is excessively rare. There is a plain edge proof and a milled edge version, and it is unlikely that even a handful of specimens of each type exists. Many years can elapse between sightings, and the coin is undoubtedly as rare and as historically important as the 1933 Penny. This specimen may be the fi nest known example available to commerce. There is speculation that the 'Gothic' Crown of 1847, designed by William Wyon (1795-1851) was produced in order to gauge the reaction of the British public to what was an innovative design. In the event, the Gothic Crown was immensely popular, and of the 8000 or so specimens made, many were retained as centrepieces of good coin collections. The Gothic Crowns and Florins are considered by many numismatists to be the most beautiful British coins ever minted, and the 'Gothic' fl orin series continued for another 36 years. The production of the first Gothic fl orin in 1851 coincided with the staging of the Great Exhibition in the same year. It was the initiative of Queen Victoria's consort, Prince Albert, for Britain to hold this Exhibition, which was eff ectively the fi rst World's Fair, for the display of technical knowledge and advances. It was held in the famous Crystal Palace and was designed and built by Joseph Paxton and later relocated to the park at Sydenham in South London. The Exhibition was a huge success and made a large profi t, which the Prince planned to spend on establishing the Victoria and Albert Museum inKensington.1851 was memorable internationally. In May of this year the fi rst Australian gold rush was proclaimed. In July 1851 the Australian colony of Victoria separated from New South Wales, in September 1851 the New York Times was founded and in October the Reuters news service was established. Sadly, on 29th October 1851, William Wyon, designer of this famous coin passed away in Brighton, England.