Heritage World Coin Auctions
NYINC Signature Sale 3030 5-6 January 2014
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India
British India. William IV gold Proof Pattern 2 Mohur ND (1835)-(C), Calcutta mint, KM-Pn10, Pr-177, S&W-1.1, PR61 NGC. Plain edge. Struck at the very beginning of the East India Company's standardization of coinage under British control. This pattern type, intended as a concept design, left several of the technical specification of Act XVII (1835) out of the design; omissions included the value of the coin in English and Persian, "East India Company" lettering, as well as the year of the die. A letter, submitted to the Mint Committee in March of 1835 read, "we beg leave to submit an impression in pure gold of the King's head, with the Lion as reverse - proposed as a double gold Mohur of 360 Grains (standard)". No response to this letter was received until late in October of that year. At that time, several concerns were outlined by the Governor-General in Council, including his dislike of the use of an animal and his favor towards a wreath or other ornamental embellishments. By late November however, in order to avoid further delays in producing a circulating type, Flaxman's design was approved and the legal specification were added to the design. By year end, minting had commenced and in January, official issuance began.A pattern of incredible importance that exists as the earliest concept piece for what would become the largest denominated type of British India. Surely no more than a small handful of this type were originally struck, and today, survival in numbers more than a few would be a surprise. Confirmed examples include the W&S plate coin as well as the present coin - ex. Baldwin's Auction 53, Lot 2013. This coin, lightly handled, has several marks around William's neck truncation with other minor ticks here and there. The fields remain deeply reflective and tiny patches of orange-gold tone touch both sides. The W&S plate coin appears to be of similar quality. All in all, a great rarity and a lovely coin; for the Indian collector, an item of rarely surpassed significance.From The Formosa Collection
Estimate: 40000-60000 USD
British India. William IV gold Proof Pattern 2 Mohur ND (1835)-(C), Calcutta mint, KM-Pn10, Pr-177, S&W-1.1, PR61 NGC. Plain edge. Struck at the very beginning of the East India Company's standardization of coinage under British control. This pattern type, intended as a concept design, left several of the technical specification of Act XVII (1835) out of the design; omissions included the value of the coin in English and Persian, "East India Company" lettering, as well as the year of the die. A letter, submitted to the Mint Committee in March of 1835 read, "we beg leave to submit an impression in pure gold of the King's head, with the Lion as reverse - proposed as a double gold Mohur of 360 Grains (standard)". No response to this letter was received until late in October of that year. At that time, several concerns were outlined by the Governor-General in Council, including his dislike of the use of an animal and his favor towards a wreath or other ornamental embellishments. By late November however, in order to avoid further delays in producing a circulating type, Flaxman's design was approved and the legal specification were added to the design. By year end, minting had commenced and in January, official issuance began.A pattern of incredible importance that exists as the earliest concept piece for what would become the largest denominated type of British India. Surely no more than a small handful of this type were originally struck, and today, survival in numbers more than a few would be a surprise. Confirmed examples include the W&S plate coin as well as the present coin - ex. Baldwin's Auction 53, Lot 2013. This coin, lightly handled, has several marks around William's neck truncation with other minor ticks here and there. The fields remain deeply reflective and tiny patches of orange-gold tone touch both sides. The W&S plate coin appears to be of similar quality. All in all, a great rarity and a lovely coin; for the Indian collector, an item of rarely surpassed significance.From The Formosa Collection
Estimate: 40000-60000 USD