Ancient, British and World Coins, Numismatic Books

Victoria (1837-1901), 1874h, dies Kj, ‘specimen’, in bronze, aged portrait, aquiline nose, wreath of 17 leaves, rose half-visible, gap between ribbons, rev. small date, sea does not cross linear circle, edge plain, 9.48g/12h (Gouby D; cf. F 74 [dies 7+H; Sale, lot 49]; Adams –; cf. BMC 1698). Small spot by tie-ribbon and traces of light handling visible on close inspection, otherwise brilliant and virtually as struck, rare (£200-250)

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Collection of Victorian Bronze Pennies formed by the Late Laurie Bamford.

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Collection

Periodically, the Heaton mint struck carefully finished ‘specimen’ coins of varying denominations as an example of what the company could produce; in some instances they were presented as gifts to dignitaries and government officials and in other cases were part of the travelling portfolio of a Heaton sales representative (cf. Gunstone, SNC December 1977, p.545; cf. Tansley Collection, DNW 67, lot 369). Truly genuine Heaton mint proofs of this period (cf. Adams lot 268 = SNC April 2005, 2467) are exceedingly rare; most of those so catalogued in the Freeman sale were in fact ‘specimens’