Great Britain: Victoria gold Proof Sovereign 1869 PR63+ Cameo PCGS...

Description

Ex. Bentley, Douglas-Morris Proof 1869 Sovereign - The Finest of Two Known

Victoria gold Proof Sovereign 1869 PR63+ Cameo PCGS KM736.2, S-3853, Marsh-53, W&R-312 (R7; this piece cited). Reeded edge. Die #64. By William Wyon. Perhaps the most legendary of Victoria's Proof sovereigns--the 1869 from die number 64, one of only two known, and by far the finer of the two. Missing from the Montagu, Murdoch, Nobleman (Ferrari), Schneider, and Terner collections, it would almost come as an understatement to say that this is a treasured opportunity of which few collectors could ever have dreamed. While the business strike figure of the 1869 sovereign was by no means exceptionally low--the year in fact saw the third-highest mintage for the type--it would seem that for an unknown reason only a very tiny number were chosen to be produced in Proof finish. Though no satisfactory answer for this phenomenon readily presents itself, there may be some connection to the superb state of the dies produced by this engraver, Baldwin's pointing out in their original description for the piece that the 1850s had seen a decline in the overall quality of minting, with the introduction of die numbers in 1863 meant to make monitoring production standards and individual engraver's work more fluid. Indeed the execution of this specimen is nothing short of captivating, the design features evenly distributed over the planchet in definitive relief without the least trace of die cracking or strain evident. For the prospective bidder's reference, the other known piece, stemming from the Law Collection and certified as PR62 NGC, achieved $28,200 when it came to auction in our August 2014 Platinum sale, and we can only anticipate the fervent bidding activity this finer representative, on the current market, will bring.
Ex. Bentley Collection (Baldwin's Auction 73, May 2012, Lot 212); An Important Collection of Gold Sovereigns, 1816-2000 (Sotheby's November 2000, Lot 525 [part]); Spink Numismatic Circular (April 1990, Item 1646); Douglas-Morris Collection (Sotheby's November 1974, Lot 207)

Metal: Gold
Diameter: 22.05mm
Weight: 7.9881g
AGW: 0.2355oz

More information about Great Britain Coins. See also: Great Britain World Coin Nationality.



Note for clients in the European Union: This lot is considered by the European Union to be “investment gold”. We believe that it meets the criteria established in Article 344(1), point (2) of Council Directive 2006/112/EC and thus should be exempt from import VAT regardless of the selling price. Any questions or concerns about VAT should be addressed to your accountant or local tax authority.

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