Watch List notes:

Victoria, pattern 'Jubilee Head' crown, 1887, in silver, by J. R. Thomas for Spink & Son, VICTORIA · BY · THE · GRACE · OF · GOD · QUEEN · OF · GREAT · BRITAIN · EMP : OF · INDIA __, veiled, draped bust l. wearing the bejeweled 'small crown' often used on state occasions in the Victorian Era, all within a border of small roses, thistles and shamrock forming a perfect circle enclosing the royal portrait (the so-called Ornate Border), plain truncation without signature, rev. FIVE SHILLINGS above royal arms with supporters, MDCCCLXXXVII and spray below, all within an identical border of roses, thistles and shamrock, plain edge (ESC.345 [R4]; L&S.78), boldly detailed from a proof striking, richly toned, about mint state, rarely seen and in all a delightful example of this intricately engraved, stylish, late-Victorian pattern J. Rochelle Thomas was a Victorian dealer in antiques and curios avidly collected in his time, located in London. He is known to have had a strong interest in medals featuring portraits of celebrities, but he also involved himself in what have long been dubbed unofficial patterns, some of which were truly exquisite in execution and inspired in their designs. He was behind the creation of the Egyptian-styled 'Bonomi' crowns dated 1837 but in reality made during the same period of time as the crowned pattern seen in this lot. His novel idea for the Bonomi piece was to cut the dies in relief, producing the curious incuse-design featuring the Queen as a goddess of ancient Egypt. This was a bold move in its day, a style of engraving dies not repeated until some half a century later in America for its Indian Head quarter-eagles and half-eagles first struck in 1908 and used until 1929. In 1887, the English attempt to be distinctive failed to achieve official approbation and was relegated to history. Having to deal with this rejection, Thomas then attempted the exact opposite in style - a rendering of the Queen in relative high relief showing a lifelike portrait with her dress and veil intricately engraved, and on its reverse side a classic presentation of the royal crest supported by a crowned lion and a unicorn, the motif perfectly centred with various decorative flourishes. Thomas engaged the German die-sinkers Lauer to create his steel dies and then to strike off samples of his crown. Using the latest equipment, the Lauer firm produced truly exceptional patterns, equal in every way to all 'official' efforts. Thomas hoped that his effort would meet with approval for the Golden Jubilee coinage of 1887, and he engaged the lofty firm of Spink & Son to present his sample coinage. No reason was given to Thomas for rejecting his pattern crown and other denominations of this style, but possibly his coins were deemed too difficult to strike with any degree of consistency, or possibly the German influence undermined his suggestions for a uniquely fashioned, majestic coinage to replace the familiar young portrait of Victoria. Only a few samples were minted (including silver, aluminum, and gold pieces), and today's collectors highly value the obvious artistry dismissed so long ago.

Estimate: £5000-6000