LOT Heritage Rare Coin Galleries  /  2007 Jan New York World Coin Auction #425  / 

51724

George III pattern Half-Sovereign, 1816. WR-201. Plain

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money Start Price:6,250.00 USD Estimated At:12,500.00 - 15,000.00 USD
George III pattern Half-Sovereign, 1816. WR-201. Plain
<B>George III pattern Half-Sovereign, 1816.</B></I> WR-201. Plain edge. DM-133. Not listed in the Spink guidebook. Engraved by Thomas Wyon. Exceedingly rare, rated R5 (6-10 known) by Wilson and Rasmussen (English Pattern, Trial and Proof Coins in Gold, Cambridge, England, 2000). If ever there was an English classic, this is it! Probably this piece was the inspiration for the Bull Head silver coinage, but a more fitting nickname might be the Roman Head, as the king looks for all the world like an emperor, his curly hair tied with a laurel tiara. Surrounding him in Latin is his name and title, which is continued on the reverse, all in diminutive letters. The date is split, two digits on either side of the crown which sets atop the royal crest, surrounded by the insignia of the Order of the Garter. Variants of this intriguing design, which never appeared on any commercial coinage, were to be seen in the reign of the next King George in the Half-Sovereign series. This portrait was never accepted for gold, however, but instead was flattened out, no doubt to make striking more uniform because this pattern shows the portrait in high relief, though brilliant, against its mirror field. The engraving here is deep, crisp, truly an artistic achievement in metal! As well, this is possibly the finest known example, PR63 PCGS, a very choice specimen in every respect, and a <I>Terner Registry</B></I> coin. The cataloguer, who purchased this coin 21 years ago for its famous recent owner, considers the number-grade to be conservative. However, the grade here is almost irrelevant because this coin is an important and alluring, exquisite rarity, the pattern for the very first Half Sovereign.<BR><I>Ex Norweb. Finer than the Douglas-Morris specimen.</B></I> <BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Coin/Currency (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
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