Auction Catalogue

17 September 1997

Starting at 1:00 PM

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Ancient, British and World Coins, Tokens and Historical Medals

The Arts Club  40 Dover St  London  W1S 4NP

Lot

№ 316

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17 September 1997

Hammer Price:
£950

George III (1760-1820), Pattern Sixpence, 1816, by T. Wyon after a cameo by Pistrucci, large head, similar to currency coin, reverse shield in garter crowned, dividing date, grained edge, struck en medaille (ESC 1651-R5). Practically mint state, richly toned and brilliant, of great rarity and numismatic interest (£1,000-1,200)

Rayner ‘s rarity rating indicates five to ten examples known. Mrs Norweb did not own a silver pattern of this type, though she possessed one of the two known examples with a plain edge in gold. The handwritten note by Benedetto Pistrucci accompanying the gold proof in the Murdoch sale (1903) is perhaps worth quoting in part and states “the workmen at the Mint were unable to strike this piece on account of its too high relief and would not give themselves the necessary trouble in order to please Mr Wyon, who could not bear with good grace that a work of his, retouched by me, should be issued.