Victoria (1837-1901), Pattern Half-Sovereign, 1884, unsigned [obv. after L.C. Wyon], in silver, young bust left, rev. crowned oval shields cruciform in cartouches, edge grained, 2.96g/12h (WR –; Davies –; ESC –; Murdoch –; Saward –; Nobleman –). Practically as struck, attractively toned, probably the only known specimen; not listed in any of the main references £2,500-3,000

Provenance: S.A. Bole Collection, DNW Auction 89, 29 September 2010, lot 1837

This intriguing piece, which was included in the Bole Collection as a Pattern Sixpence, may represent a last effort by L.C. Wyon in the face of opposition from J.E. Boehm during the protracted period in the early 1880s which finally resulted in the new coinage of 1887 (Dyer and Stocker, BNJ 1984, pp.274-88)