Important British and World Coins

Victoria (1837-1901), Proof Crown, 1847, edge plain, 29.38g/12h (L & S 56; ESC 291; S 3883). About as struck, pleasingly toned with underlying brilliance, rare (£2,500-3,000)

According to Hailstone, writing in Coincraft’s Standard Catalogue, the proof Gothic crowns with a plain edge were struck by the Mint at a later date as presentation pieces. From its date of issue the Gothic crown was widely admired as a technical and artistic tour de force on the part of Wyon and, though Hailstone does not quote a source for his statement, a coin of this kind would certainly represent an ideal and very appropriate gift for important visitors to the Mint during the second half of the century – and that they were used in this manner may well have been the case. Nonetheless, at least a few were struck in 1847. This can be established beyond doubt from letters written by the 19th century numismatist Benjamin Nightingale to James Silburn, of Pocklington, Yorkshire, between July and September of that year, extracts of which were published in SNC March 1986. In one letter, dated July 1847, Nightingale writes “I have obtained my Proof Crown of Victoria and I asked Mr. Wyon for one for you [Silburn], but I was refused. Only 20 Proofs (with plain edges) have been taken, and Wyon says he has applications for 500!”