Two Pounds 1887 Pattern from Proof dies - a very rare trial piece struck from a unique Obv. die. The legend arrangement is similar to the standard proof dies, but the 'BRITT' is now at its highest known point above the crown and the 'R' and 'E' of 'Reg' do not touch as on all other 1887 Two Pounds. The crown supporter has 8 small pearls, not 7 larger ones as on other Proof and currency types, the uppermost pearls, merge with the sides of the crown orb. The coin has a thin obverse rim, with the bust now enlarged to accommodate this feature, whereas the reverse has the usual and inconsistent thick rim. The '8 pearls' obverse remains an unpublished pattern struck from Proof dies. Recent research by David Iverson has theorised that no more than 350 of these pieces were minted, compared to a total reported calendar year mintage of 91,345 pieces , AU/UNC with some hairlines and minor contact marks, retaining attractive and reflective fields on both sides.
Two Pounds 1887 Pattern from Proof dies - a very rare trial piece struck from a unique Obv. die. The legend arrangement is similar to the standard proof dies, but the 'BRITT' is now at its highest known point above the crown and the 'R' and 'E' of 'Reg' do not touch as all other 1887 Two pounds. The crown supporter has 8 small pearls, not 7 larger ones as other proofs and currencies. This coin has a unique thin Obv. rim, with the bust now enlarged to accommodate this feature, whereas the Reverse still has the usual and inconsistent thick rim. An unpublished pattern struck from proof dies with only a few examples previously noted, NEF with contact marks
Two Pounds 1902 Matt proof Pattern or Trial having a more raised or detailed head. On a flat surface the coin distinctly rocks side to side unlike ordinary proofs which do not, and the even edge is broader and more satinised. The principal difference for this proof is having the 'rounded base 2' and 6.25mm wide date, this being the only example known to Peter Davies, as all other 1902 Two Pounds he has noted have the pointed base 2. Originally from a proof set which also included Lots 1262 and 1263 from London Coins Auction A124 these being the Halfcrown and Florin with similar raised head characteristics. Lightly toning FDC and Very Rare
Two Pounds 1887 ProofPattern or Trial utilising dies from the small B.P. currency issue. While the 1887 Proof issues use this special die sinking, the proof offered here appears to have been produced from the small B.P. currency dies. All new currency dies appear to have had Proof counterparts created, often with one or two struck for inspection, archive or presentation purposes. This piece has some unusual features, namely, the flan is about a 1/3 of a millimetre wider than usual allowing use of a bevelled or satinised edge. This broad, flat and even edge is always characteristic of 1887 Proofs. The milling, uniquely, is concave, mirror-like and less thick, unlike the standard small B.P. currency piece. This is the only such example known to Peter Davies and represents a extremely rare variety. Approaching EF with some surface marks
Two Pounds 1887??PATTERN from PROOF dies - a very rare trial piece struck from a unique Obv. die. The legend arrangement is similar to the standard proof dies, but?the 'Britt' is now at its highest?known point above the crown and the 'R' and 'E' of 'Reg' do not touch as all other 1887 two pounds. The crown supporter has 8 small pearls, not 7 larger ones as other proofs and currencies. This coin has a unique thin Obv. rim, with the bust?now?enlarged to?accommodate this feature, whereas the rev. still has the usual and?inconsistent thick rim. An unpublished pattern struck from proof dies with only?two other examples noted by the vendor.? Choice and virtually as struck
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