Catalogue
1847 Proof Crown, Presented with a contemporary maroon leather covered case, which is fitted with a brass swivel hook, top stamped in gold lettering CROWN PIECE. 1847. Roundel part of Inner blue velvet lining decorated in the corners with ornamental motifs (these faded) Victoria, 1837-1901. mdcccxlvii i.e. 1847, S-3833, ESC-2579, L&S 58, Davies-471. (R2) 28.15g. Reverse is struck en Medaille. Plain edge Obverse - Gothic bust; VICTORIA DEI GRATIA BRITTANNIAR. REG : F:D. W W in tiny incuse letters on the right side of the truncation Reverse - crowned cruciform shields, TUEATUR UNITA DEUS ANNO DOM MDCCCXLVII (may God guard these united (kingdoms). Legend has M over inverted M in D.O.M. At the sides of the crown on the first shield bearing the English arms are W W in incuse letters on the raised circlet. Obverse fields lightly brushed, otherwise full mint bloom, nearly FDC/FDC and very rare; case is very fine and rare.
Estimate $35,000
SOLD $50,000
1848 Pattern Florin, This florin marks the first attempt at decimalisation of the U.K. coinage with the issue of a one-tenth of a pound denomination. The Mint commissioned several different patterns, all engraved by William Wyon, combining various obverse and reverse designs. Presented here is the pattern adopted for the one-year type "Godless" florin issued in 1849. The profoundly religious Victorian public was outraged that DEI GRATIA or D:G (by the grace of God) was absent. This coin was replaced in 1851 with the Gothic florin, which is much closer in design to the Gothic crown. Obverse - The obverse effigy is a more truncated version of that on the Gothic five-shilling piece with minor variations in the design of the arches and orb on the crown. The legend VICTORIA REGINA 1848 in Roman lettering is very plain and in complete contrast to the Gothic versions. Reverse - The cruciform shield's design is based on the Gothic crown but more simplistic in its decoration with no delicate tracery. In the angles of the cross are the floral emblems, each beneath an arched canopy. The Garter Star is replaced with a double English rose at the centre. Legend ONE FLORIN ONE TENTH OF A POUND in Roman lettering. Victoria, 1837-1901. 1848, S-3890, ESC-2917, Davies-680 (R2) 11.30g. Reverse is struck en Medaille. Plain edge. Borders are beaded on both sides. Obverse - Crowned gothic bust, Godless type W W in relief between bust and date.; Reverse - crowned cruciform shields with central inner rose, outer legend inscribed ONE FLORIN ONE TENTH OF A POUND. Gem cameo proof beautiful iridescent reverse, FDC and very rare, one of the finest known.
Estimate $7,500
SOLD $43,000
1853 Proof Set Case, Victoria, 1837-1901. S-PS4 Young head, Sovereign to Half-Farthing (16 coins). It includes a rare Gothic type crown and is the first set with a florin and sub farthing coins. The 1853 proof set is the most difficult set to acquire. The coins are struck with dies in coin alignment unless noted. With mid-20th C. reproduction maroon leather covered timber presentation case. Shield (heart?) shaped case fitted with a brass push-button lock at the front. Inside comprises blue velvet roundels in a 3-3-3-3-3-1 pattern with white silk lining to the lid. Mintage unknown but estimated at less than 50 sets struck. There is no certainty as to why this set came to be, but it may present a trial of the Mint Master's updated rules for proof coin manufacture. The jeweller's Hunt and Roskell held the Royal Warrant of Queen Victoria, and cased sets with their gold block identification are accepted as the original issue. Contemporary cases have also been reported with R & S Garrard & Co., Goldsmiths and Jewellers to the Queen, His Royal Highness The Prince Consort, and the Royal Family, again blocked onto the inside lid. For the first time, this set does not present the copper coins in a bronzed form which may reflect a change in aesthetics but may also result from the small quantities struck, making the laborious bronzing process non-viable in terms of cost. The higher value coins down to the florin are extremely rare in the market and likely derive from those sets struck. In contrast, the shilling to farthing 1853 proof coins, whilst rare, are found more regularly in accord with higher mintages. The fractional farthing is again rare in the open coin market, suggesting it was not as well collected. Obverse - Known as the young head with the bust of Victoria facing left without drapery. Her hair bound by a double fillet and gathered in a chignon with an extra curl in front which crosses the left ear. W. W. initials on the truncation with the legend VICTORIA DEI GRATIA and the date below. This Wyon design was used with minor modifications for the sovereign, half-sovereign, crown, half-crown, penny, halfpenny and farthing. The shilling, sixpence and groat have a similar effigy, but the legend is extended to VICTORIA DEI GRATIA BRITANNIAR : REG : F : D : The Maundy legend is VICTORIA D: G: BRITANNIAR: REGINA F: D: Extremely fine.
Estimate $400
SOLD $2,000
1853 Proof Sovereign, Victoria, 1837-1901. S-3852D, W&R 305 (R3) 7.98g. Straight-grained edge. Obverse - Second larger young head with WW incuse on truncation. Reverse - By Merlen, a plain square shield of Royal Arms crowned as per 1839 soveriegn. The escutcheon of pretence, bearing the arms of Hannover, disappears as it only passes by male descent. The shield is encircled by a laurel wreath tied by a ribbon revealing two loops. Below the ribbon, is the united rose thistle and shamrock. Legend reads BRITANNIARUM REGINA FID : DEF : flanked by decorative stops - see half crown description. Full or deep cameo, obverse fields with minimal hairlines, nearly FDC/FDC and extremely rare.
Estimate $30,000
SOLD $42,000
1853 Proof Half Sovereign, Victoria, 1837-1901. S-3859, W&R 346 (R2) 4.01g. Straight-grained edge. Obverse - First young head, small date in figures below the bust -. Reverse - By Merlen, a garnished square shield of Royal Arms crowned. With no wreath or united floral emblems as per 1839 half sovereign. Legend reads BRITANNIARUM REGINA FID : DEF : and is flanked by decorative stops (comprising an oval surrounded by six beads to form a floret) as in the GEORGE IV obverse designs. Nearly full original mint state proof, FDC and very rare.
Estimate $20,000
SOLD $29,000
1853 Proof Gothic Crown, Victoria, 1837-1901. S-3884, ESC-2584, L&S 69, Davies-474. (R3) 28.24g. Inscribed edge in small raised gothic characters decus * et * tutamen * anno * regni * decimo * septimo "an ornament and a safeguard in the seventeenth year of our reign". Obverse - Gothic bust; VICTORIA DEI GRATIA BRITTANNIAR. REG : F:D. W W in tiny incuse letters on the right side of the truncation. Reverse - same crowned cruciform shields design as 1847 crowns but with 1853 date mdcccliii Attractive light grey and blue tone, reverse iridescent, nearly FDC/FDC and extremely rare.
Estimate $50,000
SOLD $84,000
1853 Proof Half Crown, Victoria, 1837-1901. S-3888, ESC-2736, Davies-576. (R3) 14.14g. Straight-grained edge Proof only date. Obverse -young head with two plain fillets and no initials on truncation. Reverse - Crowned square-topped shield Grey blue tone, brilliant nearly FDC/FDC and extremely rare.
Estimate $12,500
SOLD $13,500
1853 Proof Gothic Florin, Victoria, 1837-1901. S-3891, ESC-2827, Davies-724. (R2) 11.30g. Straight-grained edge Obverse -brit: has single t, W W in relief between bust and border trefoils at 6 O'clock with 1853 as mdcccliii and no stop after the date. Reverse - crowned cruciform shields with central floriated cross Dark grey tone, brilliant nearly FDC/FDC and very rare.
Estimate $10,000
SOLD $10,000
1853 Proof Shilling, Victoria, 1837-1901. S-3904, ESC-3003, Davies-867. (R2) 5.64g. Straight-grained edge. ^Obverse -second young head (no W.W.). ^Reverse - Merlen design with the words ONE SHILLING under St Edwards crown and surrounded by two branches forming a wreath of oak and laurel tied by a ribbon with the date below.^Fully brilliant blue grey and iridescent proof, FDC and very rare.
Estimate $5,000
Passed in
1853 Proof Shilling, Victoria, 1837-1901. S-3904, ESC-3003, Davies-867. (R2) 5.65g. Straight-grained edge. Obverse -second young head (no W.W.). Reverse - Merlen design with the words ONE SHILLING under St Edwards crown and surrounded by two branches forming a wreath of oak and laurel tied by a ribbon with the date below. Medium grey semi brilliant proof, FDC and rare thus.
Estimate $4,500
Passed in
1853 Proof Sixpence, Victoria, 1837-1901. S-3908, ESC-3190, Davies-1050. (R2) 2.85g. Straight-grained edge. Obverse -second young head (no W.W.). Reverse - Merlen design with the words SIX PENCE under St Edwards crown and surrounded by two branches forming a wreath of oak and laurel tied by a ribbon with the date below. Attractive blue grey and iridescent toned gem FDC and very rare.
Estimate $3,000
Passed in
1853 Proof Sixpence, Victoria, 1837-1901. S-3908, ESC-3190, Davies-1050. (R2) 2.82g. Straight-grained edge. Obverse -second young head (no W.W.). Reverse - Merlen design with the words SIX PENCE under St Edwards crown and surrounded by two branches forming a wreath of oak and laurel tied by a ribbon with the date below. Slightly brushed on obverse, otherwise nearly FDC and very rare.
Estimate $2,000
Passed in
1853 Pattern Groat, Victoria, 1837-1901. S-3913, ESC-not listed. (VR) Davies- not listed (Dies 2 A) 1.89g. Straight-grained edge. Provence ex Major A.W. Foster ^Obverse - Obverse (no W.W. and no striations on truncation) -young head with lowest hair wave covering the top of the ear, which has a pronounced lobe. A long thick curve to the hair at the bottom of the chignon forms an almost complete circle. The chignon is dense with minimal openings. Wide flat rim. G letters have both left and right serifs.^Britannia above date and with value on sides. There is a sharp end to the top horizontal bar of the 5 numeral in the date, a doubling of letters FoUR peNce, broad flat rim.^Gem die and iridescent proof FDC and very rare.
Estimate $3,000
SOLD $3,200
1853 Pattern Groat, Victoria, 1837-1901. S-3913, ESC-not listed. (VR) Davies- not listed (Dies 3 A) 1.87g. Straight-grained edge. Obverse (no W.W. no striations on truncation) -young head with hair covering the top of the ear. Minimal curve to the hair at the bottom of the chignon. Wide flat rim. The right leg of 1st. N in BRITANNIA points to space between denticles on the rim. G letters have both left and right serifs. A narrow gap between A and D of VICTORIA D:G Reverse struck en Medaille Britannia above date and with value on sides. Sharp end to the top horizontal bar to 5 in date doubling of letters FoUR peNce, broad flat rim. Untoned, nearly FDC and very rare.
Estimate $2,000
SOLD $2,400
1853 Proof Groat (Fourpence), The groat and threepence being the same diameter, shared the same obverse master tools. Therefore, the pattern groats listed below are later restrikes from obverse dies not listed in Davies as being used before 1862 (2 A) and 1857 (3 A). Victoria, 1837-1901. S-3913, ESC-3348. (R2) Davies 1228 (Dies 1 A) 1.89g. Straight-grained edge. From the set. Obverse - (no W.W. with striations on truncation) -young head with the lowest hair wave separated from the top of the ear, which has only a trace of a lobe at its base. A long narrow curve to the hair at the bottom of the chignon forms a semicircle. Narrow irregular rim. The right leg of 1st. N in BRITANNIA points to a denticle on the rim. G letters have a right serif only. Reverse - Struck en Medaille Britannia above date and with value on sides. Bulbous end to the top horizontal bar to 5 in date. This die imparts damaged denticles, irregular 3 in date and PENCE lettering. Wire rim with notches above PENCE Grey toned, FDC and very rare.
Estimate $3,000
SOLD $2,000
1853 Maundy Set, Victoria, 1837-1901. S-3916, ESC-3496, Davies-1415. (R) Plain edge. 3d is dies 1A^4d 1.89g, 3d 1.42g, 2d 0.93g and 1d 0.47g.^Obverse -second young head (no W.W.). ^Reverse - Merlen's crowned numeral design with a central 1853 split on either side. This plain design is within a wreath formed solely by oak branches tied with a ribbon below.^First nearly uncirculated, others uncirculated. (4)
Estimate $400
SOLD $600
1853 Proof Maundy Set, Victoria, 1837-1901. S-3916, ESC-3497, Davies-1415. (R2) Plain edge. 3d is Davies dies 1A 4d 1.87g, 3d 1.42g, 2d 0.96g and 1d 0.48g. Obverse -second young head (no W.W.). Reverse - Merlen's crowned numeral design with a central 1853 split on either side. This plain design is within a wreath formed solely by oak branches tied with a ribbon below. First untoned, others fully grey patina FDC and very rare. (4)
Estimate $3,000
SOLD $2,200
1853 Proof 4d Maundy, Victoria, 1837-1901. S-3913, ESC-3190. (R2) Plain edge. 1.86g. Obverse -second young head (no W.W.). Reverse - Merlen's crowned numeral design. Grey toned, good extremely fine.
Estimate $100
SOLD $70
1853 Proof 2d Maundy, Victoria, 1837-1901. S-3913, ESC-3190. (R2) Plain edge. 0.94g Obverse -second young head (no W.W.). Reverse - Merlen's crowned numeral design. Light peripheral golden tone or reverse, uncirculated and very rare.
Estimate $200
Passed in
1853 Proof Penny, Victoria, 1837-1901. S-3948, Peck 1502 (VS). Copper; Obverse - young head ( bare neck) w.w. incuse on truncation. Reverse - Similar to GEORGE IV and WILLIAM IIII, penny designs with an ornamental trident and plain arms on the saltire. The legend reads BRITANNIAR : REG : FID : DEF: Reverse struck en Medaille. Encapsulated NGC PF 66 RB - top of population census. Full red and slight brown, gem FDC and very scarce, probably the finest known.
Estimate $6,000
SOLD $6,000
1853 Proof Penny, Victoria, 1837-1901. S-3948, Peck 1502 (VS) 18.9g. Obverse - young head ( bare neck) w.w. incuse on truncation. Reverse - Similar to GEORGE IV and WILLIAM IIII, penny designs with an ornamental trident. The legend reads BRITANNIAR : REG : FID : DEF: Hints of red, attractive blue and red brown, FDC and very scarce.
Estimate $4,500
SOLD $4,000
1853 Proof Halfpenny, Victoria, 1837-1901. S-3949, Peck 1541 (VS) Copper 9.43g. Obverse - as above w:w. incuse on truncation. Reverse - Similar to GEORGE IV and William IIII halfpenny designs with an ornamental trident. The legend reads BRITANNIAR : REG : FID : DEF:. Multi-coloured toning. Red and brown original FDC and very scarce.
Estimate $1,800
SOLD $1,600
1853 Proof Halfpenny, Victoria, 1837-1901. S-3949, Peck 1541 (VS) 9.45g. Obverse - as above w:w. incuse on truncation. Reverse - Similar to GEORGE IV and William IIII halfpenny designs with an ornamental trident. The legend reads BRITANNIAR : REG : FID : DEF: Bronzed appearance, slightly handeled, otherwise brilliancet FDC and very scarce.
Estimate $1,500
SOLD $900
1853 Proof Halfpenny, Victoria, 1837-1901. S-3949, Peck 1541 (VS). Copper 9.44g. Obverse - as above w:w. incuse on truncation. Reverse - Similar to GEORGE IV and William IIII halfpenny designs with an ornamental trident. The legend reads BRITANNIAR : REG : FID : DEF: Deep red brown copper tone, slight spotting, semi brilliant, nearly FDC and very scarce.
Estimate $1,200
Passed in
1853 Proof Farthing, Victoria, 1837-1901. S-3950, Peck 1579 (VS) 4.74g. Obverse - young head w.w. in relief on truncation. Reverse - Similar to GEORGE IV and WILLIAM IIII, farthing designs with an ornamental trident. The legend reads BRITANNIAR : REG : FID : DEF:. Blue brown, bronzed appearance, brilliant FDC and very scarce.
Estimate $1,500
SOLD $2,600
1853 Proof Half Farthing, Victoria, 1837-1901. S-3951, Peck 1601 (R) 2.38g. From dies by William Wyon. Obverse - young head no W W, dies from the Maundy 4d, the legend reads VICTORIA D: G: BRITANNIAR: REGINA F: D: Reverse - St Edwards crown above value and 1853. Below which are the joined floral symbols for England, Scotland and Ireland. Blue brown brilliance, FDC and rare.
Estimate $1,500
SOLD $900
1853 Proof Quarter farthing, From dies by William Wyon, this coin was not part of the proof set and is the smallest denomination in the series. It was issued solely for use in Ceylon, given its similar size to a trading coin used there. Victoria, 1837-1901. S-3953, Peck 1614 (ER). Copper 1.21g. Obverse - young head no W W, dies from the Maundy 2d, the legend reads VICTORIA D: G: BRITANNIAR: REGINA F: D: Reverse - St Edwards crown above value and 1853. Below which is the English rose with leaves. Dull toned, brown with traces of red, otherwise FDC and extremely rare.
Estimate $1,500
Passed in
Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria, 1887, medallion in silver (77mm) by J.E.Boehm/F.Leighton (BHM 3219; Eimer 1733b) in official presentation case inscribed in gilt on lid above coat of arms C.G.R. (Cape Government Railways, with Mint descriptive card inside. Attractively toned, nearly FDC and rare as such.
Estimate $1,000
SOLD $3,400
Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria, 1887, medallion in bronze (77mm) by J.E.Boehm/F.Leighton (BHM 3219; Eimer 1733b) in official mint case of issue. Even medium red brown patina lightly toned FDC.
Estimate $400
SOLD $440
1887 Long Proof Set - Early Issue, Victoria, 1837-1901. S-PS5, Five Sovereigns to Threepence (11 coins). Official red shagreen style leather covered timber presentation case. The lid has a stepped design and is stamped with the royal arms in gold leaf. Rectangular shaped case fitted with a brass push-button lock at the front. Inside comprises blue velvet roundels in a 4-4-3- pattern with white silk lining to the lid.^These coins have weaker decorative borders to more common highly frosted cameo sets struck later; their dies are also slightly different in design details, and the rims are narrower. In addition, the coins typically reveal more highly polished fields to compensate for less frosting on the raised parts of their designs. Mintage unknown and assumed part of the 797 sets struck, they are far rarer in the market than the later improved sets.^Good very fine.
Estimate $700
SOLD $480