Baldwin & Sons
Auction 88 8 May 2014
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BRITISH COINS, MILLED GOLD SOVEREIGNS, William IV, Gold Proof Sovereign, 1831, by William Wyon after Francis Chantrey's model, second bare head right with coarse hair and flat topped, deeply engraved ear, w.w. incuse fully on truncation, nose points to second I in britanniar, rev struck with inverted die axis, by Jean Baptiste Merlen, crowned quartered shield of arms, with the arms of Hanover as an escutcheon, date below, finer taller border teeth, edge plain (Bentley 24; WR 261 R3; Montagu 1084; Murdoch 440 (part); Nobleman 205/6; DM 179; S 3829B). Light fingerprint and small scratch to left of shield on the reverse, rim bruise on the obverse with a few small pinhead-sized digs on cheek, hairline scratch in the obverse field, otherwise good extremely fine and rare.
ex Spink Auction 171, 15 November 2004, lot 132, coin illustrated on front cover
It is interesting to see that the second bust rendition was used for the proof coin as issued for the Coronation proof sets in 1831. The second bust turned out to be the most prolific in this reign, being used consistently from 1832 till the end of the reign. Both busts must have been used concurrently at times but the only reason they can accurately be called first and second bust is based on when they were phased out rather than when they were first used. For further reading, see an article by Harold Mountain in the Spink Numismatic Circular October 1984, page 255, Two Kinds of William IIII Sovereigns.
The Coronation of William IV took place 8 September 1831 and all the denominations issued for the current new coinage for the Coronation year of William IV in 1831 were also produced to proof quality in Coronation proof sets. These undoubtedly were made to present to officials and very important persons, and in addition to current 1831 dated denominations included a proof gold Two Pounds and silver Crown, Halfcrown and Shilling that were not current that year. Additionally William Wyon himself would be able to supply proofs to whomever he pleased or to those who would commission him to do so. The 1831 Proof Set is generally accepted as the second Proof Set available from the Royal Mint.
Estimate: £3500-4500
ex Spink Auction 171, 15 November 2004, lot 132, coin illustrated on front cover
It is interesting to see that the second bust rendition was used for the proof coin as issued for the Coronation proof sets in 1831. The second bust turned out to be the most prolific in this reign, being used consistently from 1832 till the end of the reign. Both busts must have been used concurrently at times but the only reason they can accurately be called first and second bust is based on when they were phased out rather than when they were first used. For further reading, see an article by Harold Mountain in the Spink Numismatic Circular October 1984, page 255, Two Kinds of William IIII Sovereigns.
The Coronation of William IV took place 8 September 1831 and all the denominations issued for the current new coinage for the Coronation year of William IV in 1831 were also produced to proof quality in Coronation proof sets. These undoubtedly were made to present to officials and very important persons, and in addition to current 1831 dated denominations included a proof gold Two Pounds and silver Crown, Halfcrown and Shilling that were not current that year. Additionally William Wyon himself would be able to supply proofs to whomever he pleased or to those who would commission him to do so. The 1831 Proof Set is generally accepted as the second Proof Set available from the Royal Mint.
Estimate: £3500-4500