The Coin Cabinet
Auction 75 10 Jan 2023
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1839 Gold 5 Pounds (5 Sovereigns) Una and the Lion Equal-finest PCGS PR64 DCAM #29448545 (AGW=1.1435 oz.)
PR64 DCAM | UNITED KINGDOM. Victoria, 1837-1901.
Gold 5 pounds (5 sovereigns), 1839. Royal Mint.
Young head left, with six scrolls and eleven leaves in fillets; W. WYON, R.A. in relief on truncation; VICTORIA D: G: BRITANNIARUM REGINA F: D: [Victoria, by the grace of God, Queen of Britain, defender of the faith]. / Crowned Queen, draped in mantle, leading British lion, with orb and sceptre in hands; garter star on mantle; date [MDCCCXXXIX.] and W. WYON, R.A. below; DIRIGE DEUS GRESSUS MEOS. [May the Lord direct my steps.].
In secure plastic holder, graded PCGS PR64 DCAM, certification number 29448545.
Extremely Rare, R4, Equal Finest Graded (PCGS)
PCGS Proof 64 Deep Cameo. Truly breath-taking. The most famed of British coins in impeccable condition. Fully struck and gorgeously lustrous devices float in completely mirrored fields. To hold the coin close is to see yourself staring back. No wear and light handling marks as indicated by grade. Extremely rare and exceedingly sought after. 11 to 20 examples known. Equal finest graded (PCGS).
This coin is known as the Una and the Lion Five Pound piece. The design was derived from a poem, The Faerie Queene by Edmund Spenser in praise of Queen Elizabeth I published in 1590. In that poem Una is the personification of the "True Church" and also representative of Truth. At one she point tames a lion by her beauty and honesty; the lion then travels with her both as a guard and to undertake deeds. On the coin, by William Wyon, Una is Queen Victoria. She is wearing a crown and guiding the lion with her sceptre while holding an orb. It is a classic of the Victorian Age in both style and sentiment, and one of master engraver William Wyon's masterpieces, with a modest mintage in the hundreds. It was only minted on demand from the time it first appeared in the Coronation sets, only in Proof grade.
PCGS population in this grade: 3, equal-finest graded.
Reference: Fr.386; GH.106 [R4]; KM.742; LS.17; Marsh.F23 [R3]; S.3851; WR.278 [R4]
Diameter: approx. 35.5 mm.
Weight: approx. 38.8 g. (AGW=1.1435 oz.)
Composition: 917.0/1000 Gold.
Edge: DECUS ET TUTAMEN * ANNO REGI TERTIO * [An ornament and a safeguard. In the third year of her reign].
PLEASE NOTE: 6% Buyer Premium + VAT on this lot. No other fees, including live bidding. Delivery cost will be added to your order.
This lot is exempt from VAT. Payment can be made in EUR, CHF, or USD for an exchange fee. Please contact us to find out more.
PR64 DCAM | UNITED KINGDOM. Victoria, 1837-1901.
Gold 5 pounds (5 sovereigns), 1839. Royal Mint.
Young head left, with six scrolls and eleven leaves in fillets; W. WYON, R.A. in relief on truncation; VICTORIA D: G: BRITANNIARUM REGINA F: D: [Victoria, by the grace of God, Queen of Britain, defender of the faith]. / Crowned Queen, draped in mantle, leading British lion, with orb and sceptre in hands; garter star on mantle; date [MDCCCXXXIX.] and W. WYON, R.A. below; DIRIGE DEUS GRESSUS MEOS. [May the Lord direct my steps.].
In secure plastic holder, graded PCGS PR64 DCAM, certification number 29448545.
Extremely Rare, R4, Equal Finest Graded (PCGS)
PCGS Proof 64 Deep Cameo. Truly breath-taking. The most famed of British coins in impeccable condition. Fully struck and gorgeously lustrous devices float in completely mirrored fields. To hold the coin close is to see yourself staring back. No wear and light handling marks as indicated by grade. Extremely rare and exceedingly sought after. 11 to 20 examples known. Equal finest graded (PCGS).
This coin is known as the Una and the Lion Five Pound piece. The design was derived from a poem, The Faerie Queene by Edmund Spenser in praise of Queen Elizabeth I published in 1590. In that poem Una is the personification of the "True Church" and also representative of Truth. At one she point tames a lion by her beauty and honesty; the lion then travels with her both as a guard and to undertake deeds. On the coin, by William Wyon, Una is Queen Victoria. She is wearing a crown and guiding the lion with her sceptre while holding an orb. It is a classic of the Victorian Age in both style and sentiment, and one of master engraver William Wyon's masterpieces, with a modest mintage in the hundreds. It was only minted on demand from the time it first appeared in the Coronation sets, only in Proof grade.
PCGS population in this grade: 3, equal-finest graded.
Reference: Fr.386; GH.106 [R4]; KM.742; LS.17; Marsh.F23 [R3]; S.3851; WR.278 [R4]
Diameter: approx. 35.5 mm.
Weight: approx. 38.8 g. (AGW=1.1435 oz.)
Composition: 917.0/1000 Gold.
Edge: DECUS ET TUTAMEN * ANNO REGI TERTIO * [An ornament and a safeguard. In the third year of her reign].
PLEASE NOTE: 6% Buyer Premium + VAT on this lot. No other fees, including live bidding. Delivery cost will be added to your order.
This lot is exempt from VAT. Payment can be made in EUR, CHF, or USD for an exchange fee. Please contact us to find out more.