Lot 3704

Description

Great Britain, pattern crown dated 1937 proof in .925 sterling silver, one of 25 pieces made with a milled or reeded edge, obv. large portrait of Edward VIII, with designers initials DRG (Donald R Golder) below bust, rev. St George and dragon after B. Pistrucci, dated 1937 in exergue. FDC.

This and the following four lots form a part of a very small number of experimental strikings from a pair of Donald R. Golder ’Patina’ dies, made some time ago, but which were never used to produce any Edward VIII pattern coins in quantity. The portrait of Edward VIII (based on Pistrucci’s large head of George III on the GB pattern crown, (ref. ESC 234) was considered too large, and a smaller version was eventually used in the series. Nevertheless, this large portrait is interesting. The Pistrucci style reverse design of St George and the dragon featured here was also never used for the ’Patina’ series of production (retro) patterns.