Mint State Crowmwell 1658 Half Crown

Lot 427
Great Britain. ½ Crown, 1658. Oliver Cromwell. S-3227A. Very Choice Uncirculated, a lovely and fully original coin showing rich, deep silvery gray toning mixed with some subtle blue hues. One of the finest of only a few known in true Mint State condition. In the 2003 edition of Spink's Coins of England, this catalogues for 2,000 Pounds (about $3,200) in EF grade, with no higher values given as better coins are normally not available. Extremely rare in MS! PCGS graded MS-64.
Estimated Value $3,000-4,000.
Part of Terner Collection.

Very Rare Proof 1728 Sixpence

Lot 430
Great Britain. 6 Pence, 1728. George II Young Head. Roses & Plumes in angles on reverse. Plain edge. S-3707. The finest Proof this cataloguer has seen, with fabulous bright gray and amber blue iridescence. Extremely rare in this grade! PCGS graded Proof 65.
Estimated Value $2,500-3,500.
Part of Terner Collection.

Fantastic 1746 British Proof Set

Lot 432
Great Britain. Proof Set, 1746. George II, Old Head. This is an excellent example of the very first Proof set issued by the Royal Mint specifically for collectors. Only about 100 such sets were made, the intended "market" being museums and aristocrats, for it was the vogue at the time for "gentlemen" to collect anything and everything related to "culture." The homeland coinage was therefore a natural item for inclusion in such gentlemen's holdings. The set consists of the four largest coins then in circulation, all struck as Proofs, as follows: the crown (S-3690) with VICESIMO edge inscription, the halfcrown (S-3696) with the same edge, and with engrailed edges the shilling (S-3704) and sixpence (S-3711). In 1746, the only silver coins of these denominations struck without the hallmark LIMA on them were these Proofs. It's not possible to say with certainty if these are the same four coins originally issued together as a set, but they match very well, as each has attractive silvery gray and gold iridescent toning, which is in fact brighter and prettier than is usually found on these coins. Very few sets remain intact. Mostly what is seen today are individual coins, and the majority of the surviving specimens show a considerable amount of disturbance to the surfaces. This is one of the finest sets extant. Crown , PCGS graded Proof 65; 6 Pence, Shilling and ½ Crown all PCGS graded Proof 64's.
Estimated Value $12,000-15,000.
Part of Terner Collection.

Lot 434
Great Britain. Pattern Shilling, 1764. By Yeo or Tanner. George III. Plain edge. ESC-1238 (R2: Very Rare). A marvelous pattern of elegant design, the very picture of its age! The draped portrait of King George is nearly identical to that used on the famed "Northumberland" shilling dated 1763. The portrait also bears a striking resemblance to that used on the pattern guinea of 1765 by Richard Yeo (WR-88) and also to that on the pattern five guineas of 1770 by John Tanner (WR-76), yet neither of the gold patterns shows the bust draped. Hence the confusion over who engraved this unsigned pattern, which was also the reason for Dr. Terner's interest in it. The rarity rating given by ESC does not accurately reflect this pattern's availability in choice condition. This specimen is, by far, the nicest one seen in about 20 years. Its mirrors still glitter beneath a beautiful blue toning having hues of golden iridescence. A die-bulge and lintmark appear in the shield's 4th quadrant. PCGS graded Proof 64.
Estimated Value $3,000-4,000.
Part of Terner Collection.

Very Rare 1835 Gem Proof Sixpence

Lot 439
Great Britain. 6 Pence, 1835. William IV. Reeded edge. S-3836. A Proof of Record which is unpriced in Spink, where it is called "Extremely rare." EMC gives it one of the highest rarity ratings, R6, indicating only 3-4 are known. This is a marvelously preserved specimen, with intact mirrors and bright lilac and gold iridescent toning. PCGS graded Proof 66.
Estimated Value $1,500-2,500.
Part of Terner Collection.

Very Rare Gem Proof 1864 Halfcrown

Lot 442
Great Britain. ½ Crown, 1864. Victoria Young Head. Reeded edge. S-3888. Following the 1840s, and ending with 1850, no halfcrowns were minted for currency use in England until 1874, but Proofs are known of the years 1850, 1862 and 1864 (plus of course the 1853, made for the rare set of that year). This coin is extremely rare: a Proof-only date struck for the foundation stone of the Albert Memorial in Hyde Park-and also for sale to museum collections. Only a few exist in all states, and this one is most probably the finest known: Gem Proof with elegant and original, bright silvery "aluminum foil" surfaces, the reverse having a delicate golden blue iridescence. It would be hard to imagine a finer representation of the Young Head coinage than this wonderful specimen. Proof 65.
Estimated Value $10,000-12,500.
Part of Terner Collection.

Rare 1911 Pattern Double Florin

Lot 446
Great Britain. Pattern Double Florin, 1911. Struck in silver by Reginald Huth. George V. Plain Edge. ESC-401: Very Rare in any condition. Struck by Pinches, who also created a variety of other fascinating World patterns about this time, including those for Hawaii. Despite the toga, this is a remarkably lifelike portrait of King George, who is shown fully bearded with the classic "Kitchener" moustache that was so popular at the turn of the century. The reverse is equally appealing, as it shows in elegant detail the various real and mythic symbols of the United Kingdom, including a dragon! The crowned cruciform shields represent the union of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales; in the center is the triskeles, age-old symbol of the Isle of Man. Also to be seen are the rose, thistle, shamrock and leek, images which were next thought of for the patterns of the abdicated Edward VIII but never used. All in all, this is among the most intricately conceived silver coins ever struck for the British isles. The ESC rarity rating of R2 does not do justice to the superb state of preservation seen on this magnificent coin. Its Roman Finish is essentially flawless; the color is pale silver-gray, exactly as struck except for a light golden blue iridescence. PCGS graded Proof 65.
Estimated Value $3,000-4,000.
Ex Norweb Collection; Part of Terner Collection.

Very Rare 1914 Pattern 12 Groats

Lot 447
Great Britain. Pattern 12 Groats (Double Florin) 1914. Struck in silver by Reginald Huth. George V. Reeded edge. ESC-405: Very Rare in any condition. Struck by Pinches. Similar to the 1911 above but with the unique 12-Groats denomination, which of course was never adopted as the groat was a medieval coinage long forgotten by the general public. Another marvelous example of a pattern almost never seen, and certainly not in such a splendid condition. This specimen is, if anything, even prettier than the 1911, with an undisturbed Roman Finish: silver-gray with a delicate iridescence. Extremely rare! Also ex Norweb Collection (last sold by Spink at auction, June 1987, this is its first re-appearance on the market since that time). PCGS graded Proof 66.
Estimated Value $4,000-6,000.
Part of Terner Collection.

Prize 1570 Ryal

Lot 449
Scotland. Ryal, 1570. Dav-8463; Sb-5472. James VI, 1567-1625. Crowned arms between I-R. Reverse: Crowned sword separating hand, date and value. One of the finest examples that one could obtain of this type. Superbly toned with a needle sharp strike. A prize for any collection. Very Rare this nice. About Uncirculated.
Estimated Value $3,000-4,000.