Ancient, British and World Coins and Banknotes

A.L.S. by William Wyon, Chief Engraver at the Royal Mint, to J.C. Herries, Master of the Royal Mint, date-lined "His Majesty's Mint 11th August 1828.” Describes his previous day's consultation with the royal portrait painter, Sir Thomas Lawrence, concerning the proposed design for the "Union Crown" (the new five shilling coin necessitated by the assimilation of the Irish with the British currency in 1826), Wyon reports that Lawrence was "much pleased with the three Figures for the Union Crown," but had suggested “the propriety of altering the position of the face of Britannia…at present looking at Scotland but…in the present situation of affairs it would be rather more appropriate to turn the face towards Ireland.” Lawrence suggests that the artist (Henry) Corbould should be asked to submit an amended design. On the contiguous blank leaf, an autograph initialled reply to Wyon by Herries authorising that drawings be prepared for submission to the King. 19 x 23.8cm (double). Several folds, clean and of interesting content (£400-500)

The proposed design, seemingly similar to that of the pattern Three Graces crown of 1817, also by William Wyon (1795-1851), clearly did not get beyond the drawing board stage since there is no pattern known to feature it. Henry Corbould (1787-1844) is perhaps best known for his portrait of Queen Victoria, which featured on Wyon’s medal for the Queen’s visit to the Guildhall in 1837 and on the postage stamps of 1840