The
BENTLEY Collection
LONDON 2012 – 2013
The
BENTLEY Collection
An outstanding collection of Milled British Sovereigns and Colonial Branch Royal Mint Sovereigns and associated issues A.H. Baldwin & Sons Ltd. are proud to present this highly important Numismatic collection for auction in three parts in London, commencing May 2012
For further information and to register your interest in receiving a catalogue please contact Steve Hill at steve@baldwin.co.uk or Seth Freeman at seth@baldwin.co.uk
A.H. Baldwin & Sons Ltd.
Celebrating 140 years 11 Adelphi Terrace London WC2N 6BJ Great Britain tel: +44 (0)20 7930 9808 fax: +44 (0)20 7930 9450 www.baldwin.co.uk
11 Adelphi Terrace London WC2N 6BJ Great Britain tel: +44 (0)20 7930 6879 fax: +44 (0)20 7930 9450 www.apexstamps.com
Part of Noble Investments (UK) PLC
11 Adelphi Terrace London WC2N 6BJ Great Britain tel: +44 (0)20 7930 6879 fax: +44 (0)20 7930 9450 www.nobleinvestmentsplc.com Brochure Issued - January 2012 1
A.H. BAldwin & SonS ltd. Are proud to preSent The
BENTLEY Collection A StAtiSticAl AnAlySiS The Bentley Collection contains a total of 1,240 individual coins dating from 1816 to 1984. – A complete date run of all the sovereigns ever issued for currency from inception in 1817 under King George III until the last pre-decimal sovereign of 1968 under Queen Elizabeth II. – Nearly 940 currency, pattern, proof and trial coins, principally in gold that emanated from the Royal Mint London from 1816 until 1984. – The most complete attempt to assemble all the available die numbers from the Royal Mint London Victorian Die Number Series 1863-74 inclusive, a total of 586 pieces across all the available dates. – Over 300 British Colonial currency, pattern, proof and trial coins of the Branch Mints and South Africa, including 250 Australian pieces alone; of which 115 are of Sydney, 100 of Melbourne, 34 of Perth and a single Adelaide Pound. – The remaining Colonial pieces are made up of 12 from Ottawa, 1 from Canada, 5 of Bombay India, 13 Imperial type Sovereigns of Pretoria, South Africa, and 23 gold “Ponds” dating to the Boer War period and before, of South Africa. – The most complete collection of George V Sovereigns in private hands of all mints and varieties including proofs and patterns.
2
The Bentley Collection offers one of the most complete run of UK Proof and Pattern Sovereigns ever offered at auction, the like of which has not been seen for decades. – Including 101 pattern, proof or trial issues – 78 of which are struck in gold. – Of these 78 gold pattern, proof or trial pieces, 62 are for Great Britain and 16 for the Colonial Domains. – Of these 62 Great Britain gold pattern, proof and trial pieces, fifty are recorded in the Standard Work of reference, meaning twelve are not published in this work - English Pattern Trial and Proof Coins in Gold by Wilson and Rasmussen; who list 100 pieces for Great Britain. – The London Royal Mint section of the Bentley Collection will have selections offered in each of the three parts. The breakdown for each Monarch in total is as follows:- 32 pieces of George III (1760-1820), 29 pieces of George IV (1820-30), 20 pieces of William IV (1830-7): For Queen Victoria (1837-1901) there are 160 non-die number shield reverse pieces, 586 with die numbers, 33 St George reverse young head pieces, 19 Jubilee head pieces and 11 older head pieces. – There are 11 pieces of Edward VII (1901-10), 9 pieces of George V (1910-36), 5 pieces of George VI (1936-52), and 22 pieces of Elizabeth II (1952-).
3
introduction The outstanding Bentley Collection began as a casual exploration into the possibility of owning some gold in the form of coin in the late seventies; as gold has always been traditionally viewed as a safe haven in times of economic woe. This quickly became a passionate quest to formulate one of the greatest collections assembled of the British Gold Sovereign. The Sovereign was the denomination that pleased the current owner the most, not only from its stand-point in history as one of the most long-lived, respected and widely distributed gold coins in the world, but also for its pleasing dimensions and size to the eye, being 22mm in diameter, weighing 7.98g and struck in 22 carat gold. First introduced by King Henry VII (1485-1509), in 1489, the denomination was current throughout the hand-struck hammered Tudor and Stuart periods. In various later guises the denomination was as diversely termed as “Pound”, “Unite”, “Laurel”, and more importantly the staple coin of the 18th Century, the gold “Guinea”. It was the need for a reformation of the Coinage Act in 1816 that led to the introduction of the Modern Gold Sovereign. Formed over 34 years, the first purchase was made for the embryonic Bentley Collection in 1978, a George V London Sovereign dated 1913. From this foundation coin, the acorn as it were and still in the collection today, a structured and concise “mighty oak” of a collection has blossomed and matured, with an emphasis on quality and unparalleled rarity. The interest being established by this initial purchase, nurtured a thirst for the best quality from the start. The first aim was to form a complete run of dates, not just those dates usually of a more common bullion nature in top condition, but to take the series of the modern currency Sovereign back to its introduction in 1817 under King George III (1760-1820). It was decided early on to not go back in history any further, as the priority was the modern Sovereign which presented a series with more than enough to concentrate upon, as finding the best state of preservation was paramount. Decimalisation was seen as a fitting close to the collection, as since that time, the regular issue of mint condition sovereigns has perhaps made the denomination too commemorative. During the latter part of Queen Victoria’s reign (1837-1901), the Royal branch mints began to open in the Colonial Empire; and it was at an early stage that the current owner realised that many of the Gold Sovereigns carry a small mint mark letter either under the bust or shield, or on the ground-line under St George, which indicates which Colonial branch mint that the coin has emanated from. If no letter is apparent it is a London Royal Mint issue. A decision was made to add as many of the dated pieces of these Branch Mints as possible to the collection, from Sydney (1855-1926), Melbourne (1872-1931) and Perth (1899-1931) in Australia; Ottawa (1908-19) in Canada; Bombay in India (1918), and Pretoria in South Africa (1923-32). Throughout the eighties quality coins began to be added mainly in the currency series, and trusted numismatic contacts with a sharp eye began to be established not just domestically, but on all the continents where the Royal branch mints existed, in the hope of tracking down the rarest and best quality pieces from their respective geographical locations. It was sometime in this decade that the Victorian Die Number Series of Sovereigns became a further focus for the collection. From 1863 until 1874 inclusive, the Royal Mint in London individually numbered the shield type reverse dies used to strike the currency Sovereigns as a means of “quality control” in assessing the efficiency of use of the dies, and in tracing any weakness in the production process. Some of the dates in this period number over 100 individual dies alone; therefore the scope of the Bentley Collection became even more wide-reaching, and the prospect of collecting anything other than the modern Gold Sovereign never came to fruition. The die number series has only ever been attempted by a handful of previous collectors, and nobody has ever achieved as complete a run in private ownership as demonstrated in the Bentley Collection.
4
Into the nineties many more important pieces were added as some of the major collections formed in earlier decades began to be dispersed both by private treaty and by public auction. Some of the rarest “Pattern” and “Proof ” issues (literally prototypes of coinage) were added to the Bentley Collection during this time. The detail of the collection became therefore even more focused as it became an illustrative history of the gold Sovereign, specialising from gestation in 1816 until decimalisation under Queen Elizabeth II. During this period it was noted that the South African gold Pond series from the late 19th Century until the Boer War, was of a similar dimension to the gold Sovereign. As it was a short run, relatively speaking, though some varieties very rare, it was decided to add as many of these pieces to the collection, as an interesting forerunner to the British Colonisation of Pretoria. It was during this period that the crowning piece of the London Royal Mint series was acquired by public auction. The very impressive 1819 Sovereign, the most significant coin in the Bentley Collection was added at the end of the last Century. Still the finest known specimen by far, it is today the most valuable London Sovereign. Moving into the 21st Century further valuable additions were made to the collection. It did however take until 2006 to find the final date-piece required for the currency part of the collection: the most elusive and coveted of all the Colonial Sovereign Series, the fabled 1920 Sydney Mint Sovereign. This is the crown jewel of the Bentley Collection, sourced from Australia, and is arguably the most valuable currency coin in the entire Australian Series. The Bentley Collection catalogues will not only form a lasting record of the achievement of the collector, but also an informative reference for the advanced Sovereign connoisseur; a major guide-book to the Sovereign aficionado who is forming a collection; and most importantly a tremendous inspiration to the novice collector of what can be achieved from an initial passing interest in gold bullion as coin. With patience and an appreciation for quality and rarity, it is hoped the future custodians of the coins offered from the Bentley Collection will be able to build similar or perhaps even more complete collections of Sovereigns. More importantly, the Bentley Collection forms an important historical record of the British Empire for the economic historian and a physical illustration of artistic merit in coin design for the art historian. The Benedetto Pistrucci design of St George slaying the dragon has been the most enduring coin design in the world. Inspired perhaps by the George Noble of King Henry VIII (1509-47), and in its current form for the last 190 years with minimal change, and over this period more often in use than not. Collections of the calibre of the Bentley Collection only come along once in a numismatic generation and the decision to divide the sale of the collection into three parts has been carefully considered in order to allow Sovereign collectors to plan their proposed purchases properly, with plenty of advance notice of what highlights will be available. A.H. Baldwin & Sons Ltd are proud to offer the Bentley Collection by auction and we look forward to welcoming one and all to these three numismatic events. Steve Hill December 2011
5
the Bentley collection will Be offered for SAle in three london AuctionS from mAy 2012 Part One – London Royal Mint issues both currency and patterns and proofs and one third of the Victorian die number series by quantity, over 375 lots – May 2012 Part Two – Coinex week sale. Further London Royal Mint issues, including the second part of the Victorian die number series. The entire colonial Branch mint series will be offered at this important auction. The Colonial portion consisting of the three Mints of Australia; namely Sydney, Melbourne and Perth. The Pretoria Mint, South Africa; Ottawa Mint, Canada; and the Bombay Mint, India. Additionally issues of Thomas Burgers and Paul Kruger until the Boer War in South Africa. This auction will include amongst the multiple highlights, the George V 1920 Sydney Sovereign. Over 500 lots - September 2012 Part Three – The final and most significant London issues including many patterns and proofs and the final part of the Victorian die number series. This sale will include amongst its many highlights the finest known George III 1819 London Sovereign. Over 300 lots – May 2013
The gold Sovereign was first introduced in 1489 by King Henry VII (1485-1509), at a face value of One Pound or Twenty Shillings. Individually hand-hammered in 23⅔ carat fine gold, and some 40mm in diameter and weighing nearly 15.5g, the denomination has existed in various guises for 523 years. The Modern Gold Sovereign was introduced for currency in 1817 after the Coinage Act of 1816 during the reign of King George III (1760-1820). The modern machine-made Sovereign is 22mm in diameter, weighing 7.98g and just over a millimetre thick in 22 carat gold at a One Pound face value.
6
THE RAREST LONDON, ROYAL MINT SOVEREIGN – THE LEGENDARY 1819
finest known specimen in prvate hands of
this, the greatest rarity George III (1760-1820) Gold Sovereign, 1819, from Royal Mint London, designed and engraved by Benedetto Pistrucci, laureate head of King right, coarse hair, date below, legend surrounding “GEORGIUS III D: G: BRITANNIAR: REX F: D:” descending colon after BRITANNIAR: rev. struck with inverted die axis, St George slaying dragon right with broken lance, groundline with BP incuse to left, all within horizontally ruled garter with buckle, W W P incuse on sides of buckle, the initials of William Wellesley Pole, Master of the Mint, garter motto reads “HONI . SOIT . QUI . MAL . Y . PENSE .” edge, milled.
The finest known specimen in private hands of this, the greatest rarity in the London Sovereign Series, all other specimens known are far inferior to this and hence it is valued currently at a six-figure sum. To be offered in part three May 2013
7
AUSTRALIA, THE RAREST SYDNEY MINT SOVEREIGN – THE FABLED 1920 ‘S’
The greatest rarity in the Colonial Gold Sovereign Series George V (1910-36) Gold Sovereign, 1920 S, Sydney Mint, obverse bust engraved by Edgar Bertram MacKennal, bare head left, B.M. on truncation, toothed border both sides, “GEORGIVS V D. G. BRITT: OMN: REX F. D. IND: IMP:” rev. struck en medaille, engraved after Benedetto Pistrucci, St George slaying dragon with sword, horse with long tail, broken lance on groundline to left, WWP in relief under lance, S for Sydney in relief on groundline at centre, date in exergue, tiny B.P. to upper right, edge milled. The greatest rarity in the Colonial Gold Sovereign Series, most specimens are housed in institutions and this represents an extremely rare opportunity to acquire a piece of numismatic history of the utmost importance.
To be offered in part two September 2012
8
THE CREATION OF THE MODERN GOLD SOVEREIGN 1816-7
of the utmost
George III (1760-1820) Gold Pattern Sovereign 1816, engraved by Thomas Wyon Jnr. after Pistrucci’s model, small laureate bust obverse with a crowned shield reverse, date below.
George III Gold trial uniface reverse pattern for the Sovereign, undated circa 1816-7, engraved by Benedetto Pistrucci, St George slaying dragon right with broken lance, muscular left arm visible holding reins of horse and therefore different from the currency Sovereign.
Struck in high relief as a proposal for the new currency Sovereign, such patterns pieces are of the highest rarity and survive as an illustration of what could have been. The Bentley Collection also contains other off-metal strikes of this variety of pattern.
A highly important prototype trial piece rendered by Pistrucci with a different treatment of St George on horseback to the currency design adopted, unrecorded in all the reference books, as struck and unique.
To be offered in part three May 2013
To be offered in part three May 2013
historical importance George III Gold trial flan, Gold Standard Sovereign Weight 1816, 22 Carat gold flan weighing 7.987g, inscribed on obverse only “Stand. Sovereign Wt. by Act of Part. 1816” plain reverse and edge.
The earliest piece in the Bentley Collection, the initial gold flan as physically defined by the Coinage Act of 1816 which introduced the law of legal tender, of the utmost historical importance, mint state and unique.
Image enlarged
To be offered in part three May 2013
George III Gold Pattern Sovereign 1816, engraved by Thomas Wyon Jnr. after Pistrucci’s model.
A further proposal for a currency Sovereign, with a larger bust, and a smaller lettering style. There are two versions of this gold pattern in the Bentley Collection, one plain edge (part one) and this milled edge piece depicted here. Both are of the highest rarity. To be offered in part two September 2012
George III Proof Gold Sovereign, 1817, engraved by Benedetto Pistrucci, laureate head of King right, date below, reverse with St George slaying dragon right with broken lance.
The resulting Sovereign design adopted for currency, here demonstrated struck to “Proof ” quality from highly polished dies. Such delightful pieces were given to highly influential persons as gifts to show the pride in the new design; today they are extremely rare. The Bentley Collection also contains examples for George III dated 1818 (part three) and 1820 (part two). To be offered in part one May 2012 9
THE GOLD SOVEREIGN IN THE REIGN OF GEORGE IV 1820-30
in a fabulous state of George IV Proof Gold Sovereign, 1821, engraved by Benedetto Pistrucci, first laureate head left, first reverse with St George slaying dragon right with sword, date in exergue.
George IV Proof Gold Sovereign, 1825, second bust with date below, engraved by William Wyon after Francis Chantrey’s model, second crowned shield reverse, engraved by Jean Baptiste Merlen.
The second incarnation of the St George and dragon reverse design has proven to stand the test of time, and become the most iconic and long-lived depiction of any coin design in the World with little change over the 190 years of issue till 2011. This Proof version from highly polished dies is very rare and highly desirable as the first date this design was issued.
This is a proof of the second type of Sovereign for the reign of George IV. The Bentley Collection contains two varieties of this gold proof, a plain edge version (part one) and the milled edge piece depicted here. There are also two uniface trials struck in “Barton’s Metal” - a copper core with a layer of fine gold over the top, one of the obverse (part two) and one of the reverse (part three), all these proof strikings are very rare.
To be offered in part one May 2012
To be offered in part two September 2012
George IV Gold Sovereign, 1823, engraved by Benedetto Pistrucci, first bust obverse, first reverse.
George IV Gold Sovereign, 1828, second bust with date below, engraved by William Wyon after Francis Chantrey’s model, second crowned shield reverse, engraved by Jean Baptiste Merlen.
preservation and an
One of the rarest dates in the currency series of George IV, the 1823 Sovereign in this grade of preservation is of the highest rarity, very few, if any other, are as nice as this. To be offered in part one May 2012
The rarest currency Sovereign of the reign of George IV, the 1828 Sovereign is the second rarest date in the London series after the 1819. Very few examples exist today in any grade above very fine and the one here is a particularly pleasing specimen of highest rarity. The reason why the date is so rare is that there were many functional dies of 1827 still in good order at the start of the calendar year. This supply of 1827 dies was not spent until November of 1828, leaving only a small requirement for 1828 dated coins before the year 1829 commenced.
outstanding rarity To be offered in part one May 2012
George IV Proof Gold Sovereign, 1825, engraved by Benedetto Pistrucci, first bust obverse, date below, first reverse, struck with a plain edge.
George IV Proof Gold Sovereign, 1830, second bust with date below, engraved by William Wyon after Francis Chantrey’s model, second crowned shield reverse, engraved by Jean Baptiste Merlen.
One of the rarest Proof Sovereigns in the London series, this is thought to be the only specimen in private ownership. The date 1825 with this first bust of George IV is very rare indeed as a currency striking (part three). As a plain edge proof from highly polished dies it may be the only one in existence. Even the standard reference work for the gold pattern, proof and trial coins does not carry an illustration of this coin merely listing it with references back to sales of 90 years ago and more. The rarest of opportunities occurs now to secure a piece of numismatic history.
The 1830 Proof Sovereign of George IV is another unpublished rarity absent from the standard works. The Bentley Collection specimen debuted to the numismatic community seven years ago. Still the only known specimen in private ownership, this coin is in a fabulous state of preservation and an outstanding rarity.
To be offered in part one May 2012
To be offered in part three May 2013
10
THE GOLD SOVEREIGN IN THE REIGN OF WILLIAM IV 1830-7
the most striking
William IV Pattern Gold Sovereign, 1830, second bare head right with flat topped ear, engraved by William Wyon after Francis Chantrey’s model, reverse with crowned shield of arms, date below, engraved by Jean Baptiste Merlen, struck with a plain edge.
William IV Proof Gold Sovereign, 1832, first bare head engraved by William Wyon after Francis Chantrey’s model, reverse with crowned shield of arms, date below, engraved by Jean Baptiste Merlen.
The first proposed Pattern for the reign of William IV, brother of George IV also depicts a bare headed King with a shield type reverse. There is also a uniface reverse striking in “Barton’s Metal” offered in the Bentley Collection (part three). The 1830 Pattern is a classic design which interestingly carries the so-called second bust of William used on the currency Sovereign from 1832-7. This Pattern struck from highly polished dies is very rare, especially in top quality condition.
This extremely rare Proof Sovereign struck from highly polished dies carries the first bust type of William IV where the nose points to the second N in legend and the ear is rendered with a flatter top. The Bentley Collection also contains the equally rare currency version of 1832 with the first bust (part one). The usual obverse in currency for 1832 is the second type (part one), this proof depicted here is extremely unusual.
To be offered in part two September 2012
To be offered in part three May 2013
rarity in the currency
series of William IV William IV Gold Sovereign, 1831, struck from Proof dies, first bare head right with round topped ear, W W incuse on truncation with no stops, engraved by William Wyon after Francis Chantrey’s model, reverse with crowned shield of arms, date below, engraved by Jean Baptiste Merlen. Ex Capt. K J Douglas-Morris Collection, 26th November 1974, lot 180
William IV Gold Sovereign, 1836, second bare head engraved by William Wyon after Francis Chantrey’s model, reverse with crowned shield of arms, date below, engraved by Jean Baptiste Merlen, with extra letter N struck in lower left of shield.
Struck from highly polished proof dies, this coin is a proposal based on the first bust used only in 1831-2 on the current Sovereign of William IV. Differently rendered in that the engraver’s initials WW appear on the bust with out full stops between the letters.
The most striking rarity in the currency series of William IV is the “N in shield” variety discovered just over a decade ago, and still numbering to less than ten specimens known. An engravers die error, the N of ANNO has been mistruck too high and intrudes the shield design giving a spectacular error of which this example is perhaps the finest known.
To be offered in part three May 2013
To be offered in part one May 2012
11
THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE YOUNG HEAD SOVEREIGN OF QUEEN VICTORIA 1837-9
first proposed pattern Victoria (1837-1901) Pattern Gold Sovereign, 1837, small young head left, date below, engraved by William Wyon, reverse with crowned shield of arms within laurel wreath, emblems below, engraved by Jean Baptiste Merlen, struck with a plain edge.
Victoria Pattern Gold Sovereign, 1838, small young head left, date below, legend more widely spaced, WW on truncation, engraved by William Wyon, reverse with crowned shield of arms within laurel wreath, emblems below, engraved by Jean Baptiste Merlen, struck with a plain edge.
This is considered to be the first proposed pattern Sovereign for the young Queen Victoria for which she granted William Wyon multiple portrait sittings. The head is of a small stature, the rear hair fillet lightly ruled with horizontal lines and the legend closely spaced; the reverse by Merlen being very similar to that adopted for currency. This first pattern is extremely rare and the Bentley Collection specimen is of proof quality struck from highly polished dies.
The proposals for the new coinage took some time to effect and the new currency did not come to fruition until at least 1838 for most denominations. This further proposal for the Sovereign dated 1838 goes back to the smaller head, the fillets in the hair are now rendered with incuse outlines, and the engraver’s initials WW appear on the truncation. The legend is widely spaced and this extremely rare pattern is also struck to proof quality from highly polished dies.
To be offered in part one May 2012
To be offered in part one May 2012
Sovereign for the
Victoria Pattern Gold Sovereign, 1837, small young head left, date below, legend more widely spaced, WW on truncation, engraved by William Wyon, reverse with crowned shield of arms within laurel wreath, emblems below, engraved by Jean Baptiste Merlen, struck with a plain edge.
This pattern is considered to be the next stage of development where a more widely spaced legend is used, the rendering of the young head has been subtlety changed in that the rear fillet is now plain and the engraver has added his initials to the truncation. This second pattern of 1837 is extremely rare and struck to proof quality from highly polished dies. To be offered in part three May 2013
Victoria Pattern Gold Sovereign, 1838, “first” young head left, date below engraved by William Wyon, reverse with crowned shield of arms within laurel wreath, emblems below, engraved by Jean Baptiste Merlen, struck with a plain edge.
This final proposal is as that adopted for currency, the only difference being that this coin carries a plain edge and is therefore a pattern struck to proof quality from highly polished dies. This successful proposal is very rare and highly significant as the forerunner of the currency shield reverse Sovereign of Queen Victoria. To be offered in part one May 2012
young Queen Victoria Victoria Pattern Gold Sovereign, 1837, larger young head left, date below, legend more widely spaced, engraved by William Wyon, reverse with crowned shield of arms within laurel wreath, emblems below, engraved by Jean Baptiste Merlen, struck with a plain edge.
Victoria Proof Gold Sovereign, 1839, first young head left, date below engraved by William Wyon, reverse with crowned shield of arms within laurel wreath, emblems below, engraved by Jean Baptiste Merlen, struck with a milled edge.
This pattern is a further stage of development where the more widely spaced legend is used in combination with a larger young head, the truncation is now ruled with fine lines. This third pattern is extremely rare and struck to proof quality from highly polished dies.
This is a proof Sovereign struck from highly polished dies of the currency design with the milled edge. The Bentley Collection specimen is in a superb state of preservsation and extremely rare.
To be offered in part two September 2012
To be offered in part one May 2012
12
THE KEY CURRENCY DATES AND RAREST VARIETIES IN THE LONDON VICTORIA YOUNG HEAD SOVEREIGN SERIES
of the highest
Victoria (1837-1901) Gold Sovereign, 1838, first young head left, date below, engraved by William Wyon, reverse rendered with a narrow crowned shield of arms within laurel wreath of different leaf arrangement, as are the emblems below, possibly engraved by Jean Baptiste Merlen.
This interesting variety of reverse was only discovered a few decades ago, and is perhaps an unused proposal die that was too good to not use and found its way onto the current Sovereign of 1838, it may well be the work of an apprentice engraver working under Merlen. The variety is of the highest rarity with most examples only surviving in the lower grades. This piece is perhaps the finest extant in private hands. To be offered in part one May 2012
Victoria Gold Sovereign, 1848, first young head left, date below, engraved by William Wyon, reverse with crowned shield of arms within laurel wreath, emblems below, engraved by Jean Baptiste Merlen.
1848 marks the transitional year from the first young head to the second, slightly larger young head by William Wyon. By far the rarest type is the smaller young head of which the Bentley Collection specimen is the finest known specimen of the ilk, extremely rare.
To be offered in part one May 2012
rarity in top
Victoria Gold Sovereign, 1841, first young head left, date below, engraved by William Wyon, reverse with crowned shield of arms within laurel wreath, emblems below, engraved by Jean Baptiste Merlen.
The calendar year mintage for 1841 was very small compared to other years, which to some degree explains why this is the rarest currency date of the Victorian London series. A classic rarity, it is highly sought after in top quality condition as demonstrated in the Bentley Collection. There are in fact two varieties, one with the A’s of GRATIA without cross-bars (part one), or with normal A’s as we have here depicted.
Victoria Gold Sovereign, 1859, so-called “Ansell” struck from Australian brittle gold, second larger young head left, extra line in relief defining rear fillet, engraved after William Wyon, reverse with crowned shield of arms within laurel wreath, emblems below, engraved after Jean Baptiste Merlen. Named after Mr G F Ansell, Chemist at the Royal Mint who was granted special permission to experiment with a batch of unusable brittle Australian gold and was successful in hardening it enough for it to be used for coin. The successful batch is denoted by the extra line in the hair ribbon and 167,539 only were struck, not many survive. The Ansell is extremely rare in top grade of preservation like the Bentley specimen. To be offered in part two September 2012
quality condition
To be offered in part three May 2013
Victoria Gold Sovereign, 1843, first young head left, date below, engraved by William Wyon, reverse rendered with a narrow crowned shield of arms within laurel wreath of different leaf arrangement, as are the emblems below, possibly engraved by Jean Baptiste Merlen.
Victoria Gold Sovereign, 1863, by William Wyon, second larger young head left, with 827 in relief on truncation, date below, engraved afterWilliam Wyon, reverse with crowned shield of arms within laurel wreath, emblems below, engraved after Jean Baptiste Merlen.
Another classic rarity in the young head Sovereign series, the narrow shield variety, slightly different to the 1838 version is perhaps the result of another unspent proposed reverse die from storage. The reason is lost to history, but the legacy are these extremely rare narrow shield pieces most of which survive are in lower grade. The Bentley Collection example is one of the finest extant.
This intriguing piece differs from the other currency Sovereigns of 1863 by the fact that it carries the number “827” on the truncation. This variety only first came to light in 1954 and is one of the rarest varieties of the Victorian young head series. The 827 is thought to refer to an ingot of gold as in 1863 another batch of brittle gold arrived for coining in the form of ingots numbered from 816 to 830. These extremely rare pieces were perhaps the first batch struck from the newly refined and hardened gold. The Bentley specimen is one of the finest of the handful of specimens known.
To be offered in part one May 2012
To be offered in part three May 2013
13
PATTERN AND PROOF SOVEREIGNS FROM THE LONDON SHIELD REVERSE VICTORIA YOUNG HEAD SERIES
Extremely rare, the
Victoria (1837-1901) Proof Gold Sovereign, 1853, second larger young head left, engraved after William Wyon, reverse with crowned shield of arms within laurel wreath, emblems below, engraved after Jean Baptiste Merlen, struck with a milled edge.
Victoria Pattern Gold Sovereign, 1879, second larger young head left, engraved after William Wyon, reverse with crowned shield of arms within laurel wreath, emblems below, engraved after Jean Baptiste Merlen, struck with a milled edge.
The 1853 Proof Sovereign struck from highly polished dies is a coin that was included in the very rare “proof sets” of all the coinage that were available for purchase from the Court Jeweller “Hunt and Roskell”. The coins were available to purchase singly too and are one of the rarer Proof Sovereigns of the reign. Of superlative quality and very rare.
This Pattern shield reverse Sovereign struck from highly polished dies is of the highest rarity and probably unique. The Standard work on the gold pattern, proof and trial coins does not carry an illustration of this coin as it maybe the only one in existence. The calibre of the Bentley Collection is enhanced by rarities such as this.
quality of this piece
To be offered in part one May 2012
To be offered in part two September 2012
Victoria Pattern Gold Sovereign, 1870, second larger young head, date below, engraved after William Wyon, “muled” with the reverse of the era of George III, engraved after Benedetto Pistrucci, St George slaying dragon with broken lance, struck with a milled edge.
One of the key Victorian Pattern Sovereigns in the Bentley Collection, this coin is unique and employs a reverse of George III with the obverse of the young Queen Victoria. Numismatically termed a “mule” this most impressive piece was unknown before it appeared in a public auction in 1974. Of the highest importance and an impressive die combination. To be offered in part three May 2013
Victoria Pattern Gold Sovereign, 1880, second larger young head left, engraved after William Wyon, reverse with crowned shield of arms within laurel wreath, emblems below, engraved after Jean Baptiste Merlen, struck with a plain edge. Struck perhaps as a matter of record to proof quality from highly polished dies, the 1880 shield reverse Sovereign is extremely rare and the Bentley Collection specimen is in superb condition.
is sublime
Victoria Pattern Gold Sovereign, 1871, second larger young head left, engraved after William Wyon, reverse with crowned shield of arms within laurel wreath, emblems below, engraved after Jean Baptiste Merlen, struck with a plain edge.
To be offered in part three May 2013
Victoria Pattern Gold Sovereign, 1887, second larger young head left, engraved after William Wyon, reverse with crowned shield of arms within laurel wreath, emblems below, engraved after Jean Baptiste Merlen, struck with a milled edge.
An unpublished Pattern Sovereign not in the Standard work, the year 1871 was significant as this was when the Pistrucci St George and dragon reverse was re-introduced to the London sovereign. Both the shield reverse and the St George reverse were struck concurrently by the Royal Mint London until 1874. These 1871 proofs struck from highly polished dies were no doubt produced as a matter of record, only the milled edge version is published. Of the highest rarity and probably unique.
1887 is the final year for the young head design upon the coinage, so it seems natural that some young head Sovereigns of proof quality from highly polished dies would be struck as a matter of record and probably for presentation to highly important persons such as this. Extremely rare the quality of this piece is sublime.
To be offered in part one May 2012
To be offered in part one May 2012
14
KEY VICTORIAN YOUNG HEAD LONDON RARITIES
rarest London currency Victoria (1837-1901) Gold Sovereign, 1863, second larger young head left, with 827 in relief on truncation, date below, engraved after William Wyon, reverse with crowned shield of arms within laurel wreath, die number “22” below shield, emblems below, engraved after Jean Baptiste Merlen.
Victoria Proof Gold Sovereign, 1871, young head with recut WW on truncation, engraved after William Wyon, reverse with St George slaying dragon right, date in exergue, engraved after Benedetto Pistrucci, struck with a milled edge.
This is the other variety of the “827” Sovereign with the die number 22 reverse. It is thought that this was a second batch struck from re-melted scissel and scrap emanating from the brittle ingots delivered to the Mint circa November to December 1863. Again of the very few specimens known the Bentley specimen is one of the finest extant.
This Proof Sovereign struck from highly polished dies, is one of a series of varieties with minor variation that was produced for the revival of the Pistrucci reverse on the London Sovereign from 1871. Altogether there are six variations of this Proof or pattern in the Bentley Collection, two of each will be offered in each part of the Bentley Collection, arguably the rarest variety the piece depicted here has a milled edge with the small BP initials in the exergue.
To be offered in part one May 2012
Sovereign of the St To be offered in part one May 2012
Victoria Proof Gold Sovereign, 1869, struck in 24 carat gold, second larger young head left, date below, engraved after William Wyon, reverse with crowned shield of arms within laurel wreath, die number “64” below shield, emblems below, engraved after Jean Baptiste Merlen.
This unusual Proof Sovereign struck from highly polished dies is struck in fine gold as opposed to the usual 22 carat. There are only two specimens known and the coin is therefore of the highest rarity.
Victoria Gold Sovereign, 1879, young head, WW buried in thin truncation, engraved after William Wyon, reverse with St George slaying dragon right, date in exergue, engraved after Benedetto Pistrucci.
This is the rarest London currency Sovereign of the St George and dragon reverse and the Bentley specimen ranks amongst the finest quality of the ilk.
George and Dragon
To be offered in part one May 2012
To be offered in part one May 2012
Victoria Gold Sovereign, 1874, second larger young head left, WW in relief on truncation, date below, engraved after William Wyon, reverse with crowned shield of arms within laurel wreath, die number “32” below shield, emblems below, engraved after Jean Baptiste Merlen.
Victoria Proof Gold Sovereign, 1880, young head, WW in relief on truncation, engraved after William Wyon, reverse with St George slaying dragon right, date in exergue, engraved after Benedetto Pistrucci, struck with a plain edge.
The last date for the London shield reverse Sovereign is one of the key rarities. Even though this piece is numbered 32, there are only three die numbers for this year available to collectors. All three die numbers are present in the Bentley Collection, die 32 being the finest, the others are die 28 (part two) and die 33 (part three).
This extremely rare Proof struck from highly polished dies was probably produced as a matter of record. The piece depicted is the plain edge proof, the Bentley Collection also contains an example of the equally rare milled edge version (part three) and both specimens are of the finest quality.
To be offered in part one May 2012
To be offered in part one May 2012
15
LATE 19TH AND 20TH CENTURY LONDON SOVEREIGN RARITIES
the quality speaks for Victoria (1837-1901) Proof Gold Sovereign, 1887, young head, WW incuse on truncation, engraved after William Wyon, reverse with St George slaying dragon right, date in exergue, engraved after Benedetto Pistrucci, struck with a milled edge.
George V (1910-36) Gold Sovereign, 1917, bare head with B.M. on truncation, engraved by Edgar Bertram MacKennal, reverse with St George slaying dragon, date in exergue, engraved after Benedetto Pistrucci.
The final year for the young head design upon the coinage was 1887, thus resulting in some young head Sovereigns of proof quality from highly polished dies being struck as a matter of record and probably for presentation to highly important persons such as this. Extremely rare and of the finest quality.
The 1917 London Sovereign is the rarest date in the 20th Century London currency series. Though many were struck, they were retained in the national reserve and used for debt payments mainly to the USA. Subsequently the majority of the mintage was melted for bullion in the early Thirties leaving but few survivors which escaped this fate. The Bentley Specimen is one of the finest that can be obtained.
To be offered in part one May 2012
itself as the coin is h To be offered in part one May 2012
Victoria Pattern Gold Sovereign, 1887, Jubilee type bust with 14 pearl necklace, engraved by Joseph Edgar Boehm, reverse with St George slaying dragon, date in exergue, engraved after Benedetto Pistrucci.
George VI (1936-52) Matt Pattern Gold Sovereign, 1937, bare head, HP in relief below, engraved by Thomas Humphrey Paget, reverse with freshly engraved St George slaying dragon, date in exergue, after Benedetto Pistrucci, struck with a plain edge.
This intriguing Pattern Sovereign struck from highly polished dies was only discovered ten years ago and so far only two specimens are known of which the Bentley specimen is the discovery piece and the finer of the two. Unrecorded in the standard work with the more finely detailed obverse and of the highest rarity.
This extremely rare matt proof striking from specially prepared dies is one of only two specimens known. The Bentley Collection specimen forms part of a set of four gold coins from the Five Pounds, Two Pounds, Sovereign and Half-Sovereign issued for photographic purposes within the Royal Mint London. It is a highly significant group and offered for auction as one lot.
To be offered in part three May 2013
To be offered in part three May 2013
Victoria Proof Sovereign, 1891, Jubilee type bust with 13 pearl necklace, engraved by Joseph Edgar Boehm, reverse with St George slaying dragon, horse with long tail, date in exergue, engraved after Benedetto Pistrucci.
Elizabeth II (1952-) Matt Proof Gold Sovereign, 1965, young laureate head, tiny incuse M.G. on truncation, engraved by Mary Gillick, reverse with freshly engraved St George slaying dragon, date in exergue, after Benedetto Pistrucci, struck with a milled edge.
This Proof Sovereign struck from highly polished dies is of the highest rarity and probably was struck as a matter of record after some subtle revisions were made to the reverse which now depicts the horse with a longer tail. The quality speaks for itself as the coin is breath-taking.
Unrecorded in the standard work of reference, this matt proof sovereign is the only specimen known and preserved in “as struck� condition. An extremely rare opportunity to secure a coin that has never been auctioned before.
To be offered in part one May 2012
To be offered in part three May 2013
breath-taking
16
AUSTRALIAN RARITIES ALL COLONIAL COINS TO BE OFFERED FOR SALE IN PART TWO – SEPTEMBER 2012
the 1855 specimen ADELAIDE
Adelaide Pound, 1852, type 2, crown over date, legends surrounding, reverse with legend and weight, engraved by Joshua Payne. These intriguing “coin-tokens” were never officially given the Royal seal of approval to circulate as coin, but circulate they did in the Colony of Adelaide as there was an emergency need for currency and newly found gold deposits needed to be converted to coin without the need to send them halfway around the World to the Royal Mint. The second type with the newer fresher dies is represented in the Bentley Collection in a wonderful state of preservation.
herewith is one of the SYDNEY
Victoria (1837-1901) Gold Sovereign, Sydney Branch Mint, 1855, first young head, date below, reverse with crown, laurel wreath and legends, engraved by James Wyon.
Victoria Proof Gold Sovereign struck to specimen quality, Sydney Mint, Imperial type, 1887 S, Jubilee type bust left, with tiny spread J.E.B. on truncation, engraved by Joseph Edgar Boehm, reverse with St George slaying dragon, date in exergue, S mint mark on ground-line, engraved after Benedetto Pistrucci.
finest to be found
This coin from the initial year of production from the Sydney Mint is one of the toughest to find in a high grade of preservation. The Bentley Collection again does not disappoint and the 1855 specimen herewith is one of the finest to be found.
Victoria Gold Sovereign, Sydney Branch Mint, 1858, second young head left, with wreath of banksia, engraved by Leonard Charles Wyon, reverse with crown, laurel wreath and legends, engraved by James Wyon.
This coin represents one of the finest examples of the second bust type of the Sydney Mint Sovereigns in the Bentley Collection. All the Sydney type Sovereigns are tough to find in any grade over very fine, extremely rare.
This extremely rare Proof Sovereign struck to specimen finish is the rarest Jubilee style Sydney Mint piece in the Bentley Collection.
George V (1910-36) Proof Gold Sovereign struck to specimen quality, 1926 S, bare head, B.M. on truncation, engraved by Edgar Bertram MacKennal, reverse with St George slaying dragon, date in exergue, S mint mark on ground-line, engraved after Benedetto Pistrucci.
This extremely rare Proof Sovereign struck to specimen quality is the second rarest 20th Century Sydney Mint piece after the 1920 S in the Bentley Collection. 17
RARITIES OF THE MELBOURNE AND PERTH MINTS ALL COLONIAL COINS TO BE OFFERED FOR SALE IN PART TWO – SEPTEMBER 2012
The coin seems to
Victoria (1837-1901) Gold Sovereign, Melbourne Mint, Imperial type, 1887 M, second larger young head left, W.W. in relief on truncation, date below, engraved after William Wyon, reverse with crowned shield of arms within laurel wreath, M mint mark below, emblems below, engraved after Jean Baptiste Merlen. This is the rarest Victorian shield reverse for the Melbourne Mint as it was the final issue before the Jubilee issue of 1887. The Australian Mints continued with the shield reverse long after the London Royal Mint ceased, as they were more readily accepted in trade with Asia over the St George reverse pieces. The Bentley coin herewith is in excellent condition for this issue.
George V Proof Gold Sovereign, Melbourne Mint, Imperial type, 1929 M, second smaller bare head, B.M. on truncation, engraved by Edgar Bertram MacKennal, reverse with St George slaying dragon, date in deep exergue, M mint mark on ground-line, engraved after Benedetto Pistrucci.
The 1929 Melbourne Sovereign proof is the rarest and finest of all the Melbourne pieces in the Bentley Collection. A major rarity of superlative quality, toned as struck.
have become rarer as
Victoria Proof Gold Sovereign, Melbourne Mint, Imperial type, 1888 M, Jubilee type bust left, with J.E.B. on truncation, engraved by Joseph Edgar Boehm, reverse with St George slaying dragon, date in exergue, M mint mark on ground-line, engraved after Benedetto Pistrucci.
George V Gold Sovereign, 1926 P, bare head, B.M. on truncation, engraved by Edgar Bertram MacKennal, reverse with St George slaying dragon, date in exergue, P mint mark on ground-line, engraved after Benedetto Pistrucci.
The 1888 Melbourne proof Sovereign is of extreme rarity and in a wonderful state of preservation. It is one of the key rarities in the Victorian Melbourne series in the Bentley Collection.
The rarest currency Perth Mint Sovereign is represented in the Bentley Collection by this superb coin. The coin seems to have become rarer as time has marched on.
time has marched on
George V (1910-36) Gold Sovereign, Melbourne Mint, Imperial type, 1921 M, bare head, B.M. on truncation, engraved by Edgar Bertram MacKennal, reverse with St George slaying dragon, date in exergue, M mint mark on ground-line, engraved after Benedetto Pistrucci.
The 1921 Melbourne Sovereign is the key date in the 20th Century currency series for this mint. The 1922 M runs a close second which is also represented in the Bentley Collection with an excellent specimen. The quality of this rare coin speaks for itself.
18
George V Proof Gold Sovereign struck to specimen quality, Perth Mint, Imperial type, 1931 P, second smaller bare head, B.M. on truncation, engraved by Edgar Bertram MacKennal, reverse with St George slaying dragon, date in deep exergue, P mint mark on ground-line, engraved after Benedetto Pistrucci. The 1931 Perth Sovereign proof is the final and one of the rarest of all the Perth pieces in the Bentley Collection. A superb quality rarity for this swan song issue from the Imperial Perth Mint.
d
COLONIAL RARITIES OF CANADA AND INDIA ALL COLONIAL COINS TO BE OFFERED FOR SALE IN PART TWO – SEPTEMBER 2012
this highly unusual CANADA – OTTAWA MINT
Edward VII (1901-10) Specimen Proof Gold Sovereign, Ottawa Mint, Imperial type, 1908 C, struck to a satin finish, bare head, engraved by George William De Saulles, reverse with St George slaying dragon, date in exergue, C mint mark on ground-line, engraved after Benedetto Pistrucci.
George V (1910-36) Specimen strike Gold Sovereign, Ottawa Mint, Imperial type, 1911 C, bare head, B.M. on truncation, engraved by Edgar Bertram MacKennal, reverse with St George slaying dragon, date in exergue, C mint mark on ground-line, engraved after Benedetto Pistrucci.
The initial Canadian Sovereign issued from the Ottawa Mint, all specimens of which were given a satin finish is the rarest of all the Edward VII currency Sovereigns. The specimen in the Bentley Collection is one of the most highly preserved of this desirable rarity.
Struck to a specimen finish, this coin represents the finest known specimen in private hands of the rare specimen Sovereign of 1911 from the Ottawa Mint. No doubt produced as a presentation piece for the Coronation year of George V it is a rather special coin.
Edward VII Gold Sovereign, Ottawa Mint, Imperial type, 1909 C, struck with the satin finish obverse die as used for 1908, bare head, engraved by George William De Saulles, reverse with St George slaying dragon, date in exergue, C mint mark on ground-line, engraved after Benedetto Pistrucci.
George V Gold Sovereign, Ottawa Mint, Imperial type, 1916 C, bare head, B.M. on truncation, engraved by Edgar Bertram MacKennal, reverse with St George slaying dragon, date in exergue, C mint mark on ground-line, engraved after Benedetto Pistrucci.
This unusual Sovereign clearly has a different finish to the obverse as opposed to the reverse and represents a major “sleeping” rarity in the Canadian series of Sovereigns. The satin finish can only be explained by the continued use of a 1908 obverse die into 1909 which shows good economic values as the Ottawa Mint.
The rarest Canadian currency Sovereign in commerce today, the 1916 C represents the pinnacle of the series and the biggest challenge to obtain for the collector. The Bentley Collection again contains one of the finest available.
piece is a highly
desirable and rare coin BOMBAY INDIA MINT
George V (1910-36) Specimen Gold Sovereign, Bombay Mint, Imperial type, 1918 I, bare head, B.M. on truncation, engraved by Edgar Bertram MacKennal, reverse with St George slaying dragon, date in exergue, I mint mark on ground-line, engraved after Benedetto Pistrucci. Struck to a specimen finish, and no doubt produced as a presentation piece for the establishment of the Imperial Bombay Mint, this highly unusual piece is a highly desirable and rare coin.
19
SOUTH AFRICAN RARITIES; REPUBLICAN AND IMPERIAL ALL COLONIAL COINS TO BE OFFERED FOR SALE IN PART TWO – SEPTEMBER 2012
pristine condition and Republic of South Africa Proof Gold Een Pond, 1874, short coarse bearded bust of President Burgers, date below, reverse with Arms of the Republic, engraved by Leonard Charles Wyon, struck by the Heaton Mint.
The coarse beard variety is by far the rarest variety of this very rare issue, the Bentley Collection specimen is an absolutely superb example.
George V (1910-36) Gold Sovereign, Pretoria Mint, Imperial type, 1923 SA, bare head, B.M. on truncation, engraved by Edgar Bertram MacKennal, reverse with St George slaying dragon, date in exergue, SA mint mark on ground-line, engraved after Benedetto Pistrucci.
This initial striking of the gold Sovereign at the Pretoria Mint in 1923 is the rarest currency piece of the short series, as Sovereigns were only struck on demand from gold brought into the Mint, and purportedly the issue for this year was struck from only one consignment of gold, giving a total of just over 400 struck. The piece offered here is one of the best extant.
the example we have
Republic of South Africa Proof Gold Een Pond, 1874 spread date well struck, long fine bearded bust of President Burgers, date below, reverse with Arms of the Republic, engraved by Leonard Charles Wyon, struck by the Heaton Mint.
George V Matt Proof Gold Sovereign, Pretoria Mint, Imperial type, 1928 SA, second smaller bare head, B.M. very distinct on truncation, engraved by Edgar Bertram MacKennal, reverse with St George slaying dragon, date in exergue, SA mint mark on ground-line, engraved after Benedetto Pistrucci.
The more frequently encountered fine beard variety is still nevertheless a major rarity and not many survive in pristine condition, the example we have here is one of the best.
This matt finish Pretoria Mint Sovereign is of the highest rarity and perhaps the only available specimen to collectors, the higher quality speaks for itself.
here is one of the best Republic of South Africa Gold Een Pond, 1898, bust of President Kruger, with incuse “99” stamped below, reverse with Arms of the Republic, engraved by Otto Schultz.
George V Proof or specimen Gold Sovereign, Pretoria Mint, Imperial type, 1929 SA, second smaller bare head, B.M. very distinct on truncation, engraved by Edgar Bertram MacKennal, reverse with St George slaying dragon, date in deep exergue, SA mint mark on ground-line, engraved after Benedetto Pistrucci.
Only 130 of the 1898 Ponds were over-stamped with the 99 date figures, and scant few survive in grades better than extremely fine like we have demonstrated in the Bentley Collection.
This Pretoria Mint Sovereign struck to a specimen proof finish is of extreme rarity was probably produce for presentation purposes and is perhaps the only specimen available to collectors.
20
The
BENTLEY Collection A SUMMARY All three parts will contain portions of the most comprehensive assemblage ever formed of the Die Number Shield Sovereign Series of Queen Victoria 1863-74 inclusive.
Part One – 8 May 2012 London Royal Mint Sovereigns including:Patterns and Proofs of 1816-7, 1825 first type proof, early Victorian shield including the 1869 24 carat piece and later St George reverse rarities of the various busts. Rare currency pieces of 1823, 1828, 1836 with N in the shield, narrow shields of 1838 and 1843, the 1841 with unbarred A’s, 1863 die number 22 with 827 on truncation. A selection of extremely rare Queen Elizabeth II proofs and specimens.
Part Two – September 2012 during the week of the International “Coinex” Coin Fair London Royal Mint issues including further patterns and proofs from George III to Victoria. One of the finest 1859 Ansell Sovereigns available to collectors made from brittle Australian gold that was strengthened at the Mint by the chief Chemist Mr G F Ansell. Australian Mint issues in high grade including a near complete currency collection of all dates and mint combinations with some additional proofs and off-metal strikes from Queen Victoria to George V. The highlights of this section being:An assemblage of the Sydney Mint Australia type by date along with an Adelaide Pound. Extremely rare George V date and Mint combinations in high grade including for Melbourne the dates 1920, 1921, 1922, 1928, and 1929 along with a 1929 M Proof. The most valuable and highly coveted coin in the whole collection, the 1920 Sydney Sovereign along with high grade currency rarities, and a specimen strike of the 1926 S. A 1931 Perth Specimen striking. Canadian rarities include the Edward VII 1908C satin finish, an example of the 1909C muled with the satin finish obverse from a 1908C, and a George V 1916 C in high grade. A 1918 specimen striking from the Bombay Mint, India. Pretoria, South Africa high grade currency 1923 and 1924 Sovereigns as well as extremely rare 1928SA proof and a specimen striking of the 1929SA. Other earlier extremely rare South African Ponds, including the fine and coarse beard Burgers pieces in high grade, the 99 overstamp in highest grade and a 1902 Veld Pond.
A. H. Baldwin & Sons Ltd, London Founded in 1872, A. H. Baldwin & Sons Ltd set up their in-house auction department ‘Baldwin’s Auctions’ in 1993 and have since expanded to hold regular auctions of all numismatic material in London, New York and Hong Kong. Baldwin’s have been based in central London for over 100 years and are the last remaining traditional coin dealers in London offering an old-fashioned personal service to help you build your collection with confidence. e Baldwin’s specialist team has worked as advisors and cataloguers of coins for many of the most prestigious auction houses in London and abroad for decades. Our extensive library, comprising thousands of reference books, allows us to research thoroughly all aspects of numismatics from Ancient times to the present day, with the main focus including English, European, Russian, Islamic, Indian, the Americas and Oriental coins, as well as commemorative medals, for auction and direct sale. Today our permanent staff of numismatists include: Edward Baldwin (European, Colonial, Oriental and Russian Coins), Dimitri Loulakakis (English, European, Latin American and Modern Greek Coins), Steve Hill (English Coins), Graham Byfield (Indian and Islamic Coins and Commemorative Medals), Paul Hill (Ancient Coins), Seth Freeman (British Tokens and Banknotes), David Kirk (Military Medals), Caroline Holmes (Numismatic Books), and Laurent Stainvurcel (European Coins). e merger of Baldwin’s with Noble Investments (UK) PLC in 2005, and the acquisition in early 2008 of Apex Philatelics Ltd., has seen the company expand to become a formidable market player offering a complete package for any coin or stamp collector or investor. A. H. Baldwin & Sons Ltd is one of the largest numismatic houses in Europe and the only numismatic trading company listed on the London Stock Exchange. Baldwin’s has been a member of the International Association of Professional Numismatists (IAPN) since 1969, and is also a member of the British Numismatic Trade Association (BNTA), the British Antique Dealer’s Association (BADA) and individuals on their staff are members of the American Numismatic Association (ANA), the Royal Numismatic Society (RNS) and the British Numismatic Society (BNS).
Part Three – May 2013 London Royal Mint issues – the highlight being the George III 1819 Sovereign – the finest specimen known in private hands, along with other George III to Victoria patterns, proofs and trial strikes. Other highlights being the George IV 1830 Proof, William IV first bust proofs of 1831 and 1832. Victorian pattern and proof shield sovereigns of 1837, 1838, 1870 and 1880. St George reverse proofs and patterns of 1871, 1880 and 1887 of the young and Jubilee heads. A superb 1841 Sovereign with barred A’s and the 1863 with 827 on the truncation. The George VI Matt gold Proof Set of four coins – only two sets in private hands. Queen Elizabeth II 1958 specimen, 1959 proof and 1965 Matt Proof pieces.
11 Adelphi Terrace London WC2N 6BJ Great Britain tel: +44 (0)20 7930 9808 fax: +44 (0)20 7930 9450 www.baldwin.co.uk
11 Adelphi Terrace London WC2N 6BJ Great Britain tel: +44 (0)20 7930 6879 fax: +44 (0)20 7930 9450 www.nobleinvestmentsplc.com
Design & Production by Jamm Design www.jammdesign.co.uk
11 Adelphi Terrace London WC2N 6BJ Great Britain tel: +44 (0)20 7930 9808 fax: +44 (0)20 7930 9450 www.baldwin.co.uk
11 Adelphi Terrace London WC2N 6BJ Great Britain tel: +44 (0)20 7930 6879 fax: +44 (0)20 7930 9450 www.nobleinvestmentsplc.com