Coins

George IV (1820-1830), Pattern Crown or medal, undated, after B. Pistrucci, in white metal, laureate bust left, rev. royal arms with supporters, no legend, m in gothic script below, edge plain, 16.03g/12h (L & S 43; ESC 2353 [265a]; cf. BHM 1103). Small dig in obverse field and a small edge bruise on reverse at 11 o’clock, otherwise about extremely fine, extremely rare
£700-£1,000

The real purpose of these pieces is not now known. Rayner, in ESC (p.33) maintained the time-honoured view that they were patterns for a crown executed c. 1828 and dispels the notion inferred by Linecar and Stone’s repetition of a century-old attribution to the engraver John Milton, who had died in 1805 (p.69). Brown (p.270) speculates that they were issued in connection with George IV’s coronation in July 1821. Many of the specimens seen carry the initial M on the lower reverse, perhaps indicative of an association with either Jean-Baptiste Merlen, George Mills or James Mudie (cf. DNW 113, lot 213 and Goldberg Auction 32 (Beverly Hills), 21 September 2005, lot 3429)