Great Britain: Victoria Gothic Florin 1870,...

Description

The Finest Known Gothic Florin?

Victoria Gothic Florin 1870, S3893, Die #13, MS67 PCGS, Pristine Gem Uncirculated, superbly toned in vivid shades of reddish gold and blue iridescence over luminous satiny luster, the surfaces shimmering with originality, the portrait simply wonderful, the reverse shield boldly struck, and all legends crisp in detail. This awesome coin was first discovered in England in 1986, in the midlands, at a small country auction, along with fifteen others, each one kept in a little envelope with a red wax seal on the rear flap from Barclay's Bank. An inscription on each envelope presented a florin each year "To Bertie from dear Papa at Xmas," and quite obviously a special piece was picked each year at the bank; each remained sealed for over a century.

This 1870 was the best piece of all sixteen, and it is a date seldom seen in any higher grade. It was sent to PCGS just once and given the MS67 grade, which has been granted to so few English milled coins that "rarity of condition" has taken on new meaning. Clearly, English coins are rarer in such a grade than anyone ever imagined in the past. Clearly, too, this is a coin of staggering beauty in just about the ultimate state of preservation. It has come to be called "Bertie's Florin" by its present owner. It is certainly very special, and may well be the finest known Gothic florin, in terms of combined technical quality and beauty. Bertie is long gone, but his special Christmas florin has lived on as the very image of its age.
From the Guilford Courthouse Collection.

Metal: Silver
Diameter: 30.00mm
Weight: 11.3104g
ASW: 0.3364oz
Mintage: 1,081,000

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

View Certification Details from PCGS