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CSNS Signature Sale 3099 5-7 May 2022
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India
British India. William IV gold Original Strike 2 Mohurs 1835.-(c) AU Details (Tooled) NGC, Calcutta mint, KM452.1, Fr-1592, S&W-1.3, Remick-C305. An extremely rare representative of the original 2 Mohur striking - a type that experts have at times even speculated to have never been released, with the coins appearing to have been used only for internal bank transactions. While the reported mintage is approximately 1,174, this number is considered to be a likely overestimation of the true figure, of which the majority have subsequently been remelted, leaving exceedingly few survivors. Although the surfaces have clearly been altered, as witnessed by the lack of original luster, the devices remain quite sharp, revealing fine hair detail to William's bust and the reverse lion's mane, as well as crisp leaves in the reverse palm. Regardless of condition, the offering at hand represents an elusive opportunity, and the unlikely appearance of an AU50-certified original example in our relatively recent August 2020 Platinum Night Auction (Lot 30217) should in no way be taken to indicate otherwise.
There are a number of distinguishable characteristics that separate an original from a restrike. Starting from the outside of the coin, the rim of the original is very distinctive; it has a "natural" appearance--exactly like other business strikes from this same period. A second area of interest--and perhaps the main, definitive area in terms of diagnostics--is located on the reverse. Between an original and restrike example, radical differences are noted to the design of the palm fronds. It is not unusual for restrikes to show fronds that have been completely polished away, while others are no longer even attached to the branches of the tree itself. And, in the foreground, there are very noticeable differences to the presentation of the lion; on a restrike, the rear leg is almost completely gone, essentially portraying the lion as having only three legs. Confirmation of these differences in the two die types are noted correctly in the Standard Catalog of World Coins and the Catalogue of British Colonial and Commonwealth Coins by Andre de Clermont. Finally, there has been speculation regarding a redesign and re-engraving, as well as the addition of heavy polish to the die, making the diagnostics conclusive.
Ex. Baldwin's Auction 14 (January 2018, Lot 373)
https://coins.ha.com/itm/india/british-india/india-british-india-william-iv-gold-original-strike-2-mohurs-1835-c-au-details-tooled-ngc-/a/3099-30276.s?type=DA-DMC-CoinArchives-WorldCoins-3099-05052022
HID02906262019
© 2022 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved
Estimate: 10000-15000 USD
British India. William IV gold Original Strike 2 Mohurs 1835.-(c) AU Details (Tooled) NGC, Calcutta mint, KM452.1, Fr-1592, S&W-1.3, Remick-C305. An extremely rare representative of the original 2 Mohur striking - a type that experts have at times even speculated to have never been released, with the coins appearing to have been used only for internal bank transactions. While the reported mintage is approximately 1,174, this number is considered to be a likely overestimation of the true figure, of which the majority have subsequently been remelted, leaving exceedingly few survivors. Although the surfaces have clearly been altered, as witnessed by the lack of original luster, the devices remain quite sharp, revealing fine hair detail to William's bust and the reverse lion's mane, as well as crisp leaves in the reverse palm. Regardless of condition, the offering at hand represents an elusive opportunity, and the unlikely appearance of an AU50-certified original example in our relatively recent August 2020 Platinum Night Auction (Lot 30217) should in no way be taken to indicate otherwise.
There are a number of distinguishable characteristics that separate an original from a restrike. Starting from the outside of the coin, the rim of the original is very distinctive; it has a "natural" appearance--exactly like other business strikes from this same period. A second area of interest--and perhaps the main, definitive area in terms of diagnostics--is located on the reverse. Between an original and restrike example, radical differences are noted to the design of the palm fronds. It is not unusual for restrikes to show fronds that have been completely polished away, while others are no longer even attached to the branches of the tree itself. And, in the foreground, there are very noticeable differences to the presentation of the lion; on a restrike, the rear leg is almost completely gone, essentially portraying the lion as having only three legs. Confirmation of these differences in the two die types are noted correctly in the Standard Catalog of World Coins and the Catalogue of British Colonial and Commonwealth Coins by Andre de Clermont. Finally, there has been speculation regarding a redesign and re-engraving, as well as the addition of heavy polish to the die, making the diagnostics conclusive.
Ex. Baldwin's Auction 14 (January 2018, Lot 373)
https://coins.ha.com/itm/india/british-india/india-british-india-william-iv-gold-original-strike-2-mohurs-1835-c-au-details-tooled-ngc-/a/3099-30276.s?type=DA-DMC-CoinArchives-WorldCoins-3099-05052022
HID02906262019
© 2022 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved
Estimate: 10000-15000 USD