St. James's Auctions
Auction 86 28 Feb 2024
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George III, proof halfcrown, 1816, laureate 'bull' head right, rev. crowned shield within Garter, plain edge (S.3788; ESC.2088), certified and graded by NGC as Proof-65, old-time grey and gold toning, really rare as such, a special example of the 'New Coinage' issued by the then-new Tower Hill Mint
Only one other graded as Proof-65 by NGC, none higher.
Following a period of severe silver shortage in the United Kingdom, including widespread hoarding of all hard money during the Napoleonic Wars, a 'New Coinage' was introduced as a result of the Coinage Act of June 1816. The public suffered with the old, badly worn and disfigured traditional coinage until nearly £2 million pounds' worth of fresh coins were released in February 1817. The silver shortage was over and all the old money was called in for melting. The mint's master, W.W. Pole, celebrated the event by creating special examples of the new money. This coin was one of the first 'proofs of record' minted for his brand-new Royal Mint Museum. See footnote for Lot 1 for more details.
Estimate: 5500 - 6000 GBP
Only one other graded as Proof-65 by NGC, none higher.
Following a period of severe silver shortage in the United Kingdom, including widespread hoarding of all hard money during the Napoleonic Wars, a 'New Coinage' was introduced as a result of the Coinage Act of June 1816. The public suffered with the old, badly worn and disfigured traditional coinage until nearly £2 million pounds' worth of fresh coins were released in February 1817. The silver shortage was over and all the old money was called in for melting. The mint's master, W.W. Pole, celebrated the event by creating special examples of the new money. This coin was one of the first 'proofs of record' minted for his brand-new Royal Mint Museum. See footnote for Lot 1 for more details.
Estimate: 5500 - 6000 GBP