Australia: Victoria gold Proof Pattern Sovereign 1856-SYDNEY PR65★ Ultra Cameo NGC,...

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The Finest of Only 2 1856 Pattern Sovereigns in Private Hands - Ex. Murdoch, Farouk, & Quartermaster

Victoria gold Proof Pattern Sovereign 1856-SYDNEY PR65★ Ultra Cameo NGC, London mint, KM-Pn6, McDonald-103, Rennik-Unl., Marsh-A361A (R5), QM-28 (R7; this coin). Type II. Plain edge. By Leonard Charles Wyon. A veritable masterpiece of Victorian coin engraving, clearly situating Leonard Charles Wyon on similar footing to his famous father, William. One of just three known specimens and only the second in private hands, it is no exaggeration whatsoever that this is the finest surviving representative. While the example in the British Museum is not pictured online (1924,0205.3), the other privately held is a mere PR62 Ultra Cameo by comparison (ex. MDC Monaco Auction 7, June 2021, Lot 105; Heritage Auction #3088, November 2020, Lot 33046; Editions V. Gadoury December 2016, Lot 164). Indeed, it is hardly surprising to see why this coin graced such famed and elite collections as Murdoch, Farouk, and Quartermaster--its fields appearing practically jet-black from all angles, eliciting an even sun-like glow when tipped from end-to-end while the devices rise in practically mountainous, frosted relief. Just a small copper spot appears before Victoria's nose, providing one of the only "imperfections" detectable upon even the closest and most scrupulous inspection, and this hardly hampering the natural movement of the eye around the planchet. Apparently missing from the holdings of the Museums Victoria in Melbourne and undocumented by Hocking in the Royal Mint Museum in the early 20th century, and by all measures a trophy coin.

Ex. Quartermaster Collection (Monetarium, Australia June 2009, Lot 28); Winsor & Sons to Tom Hadley (Quartermaster) in 2003; Morton & Eden Auction 6 (December 2003, Lot 520); Spink Australia Auction 6 (November 1981, Lot 984); Spink Australia Auction 2 (November 1978, Lot 541); Purchased from the Farouk Collection by A.H.F. Baldwin; Farouk Collection (Sotheby's February 1954, Lot 846) [part]; J. G. Murdoch Collection (Sotheby's July 1903, Lot 616) [part]

From the Regent Collection

Metal: Gold
Diameter: 22mm

More information about Australian Coins. See also: Australia World Coin Nationality.

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