Sovereign 1847 Second I over higher I in Britanniarum Marsh 30, S.3852, GVF/NEF, no similar example was listed in the Bentley Collection, the Bentley catalogue correctly states, 'many dies were used for this year', however, of 39 examples sold by us in the last 10 years, none show this overstrike, so possibly rarer than catalogue values would suggest
Society of Arts (Instituted 1753), awarded 1841 to Edwd. Bentley, 52mm diameter in silver by W.Wyon, Obverse: Mercury and Minerva, Reverse: inscribed 'FOR HIS METHOD OF PRESERVING VEGETABLE JUICES' within a wreath, 69.16 grammes, in silver (not hallmarked), Eimer 647, VF, scratched and tooled, in a presentation box
Sovereign 1920M Marsh 238, S.3999, in a PCGS holder and graded MS62, we note the Ex-Bentley collection Lot 833, Ex Winsor and Sons, Jamberoo, NSW Australia, described as PCGS MS62+, sold for £5200 in London Coins Auction A159 purchased c.2004 (realised £6240 in the Bentley Sale)
Sovereign 1842 with Open 2 over 1 in date, the underlying figure to the right of the 2, and joins the back of the curve. Also with the pointed 4 in the date, as normally associated with open 2 variety, this significant coin thus proving that the 1841 dies were re-used the following year. This also lends weight to the possibility of a 'pointed 4' 1841 coin, which, given the rarity of 1841 coin, would possibly be an even rarer type. The 1841 usually has a square top 4, (See the recent Bentley sale Lot 41) CGS Variety 05 graded CGS 45, the only example of type thus far recorded on the CGS Population Report, Very Rare
Sovereign 1860 E over higher E in DEI, only the lower part of the underlying E is visible, Marsh 43, S.3852D, similar to the example in the Bentley collection (Lot 81) NEF/EF with some contact marks. Note: this overstrike is usually found on the 1861 coin.
Sovereign 1888 Obverse 1, G: of D:G: further from the crownS.3866, DISH L8. Good Fine/NVF, Extremely Rare. David Iverson's excellent reference book 'The Jubilee HeadGold Sovereign 1887-1893' estimates that 'a fraction of 1%' of the 1888 London output used this obverse die, and assigned a rarity of R5 to this type. (only 5-10 examples estimated to survive). We note that there was no example in the Bentley Collection. Our archive database stretching back to 2003 shows that we have not previously offered this type
Sovereign 1847 Marsh 30, similar to Bentley 409 with no lower right serif to the first 1 in the date, but with all other serifs present, and the ponytail ending in a single strand, unlike the Bentley coin. This shows another stage in the evolution of the dies from the 1847 Sovereigns, VF or better
Sovereign 1820 Roman 1 in date, the top of the 1 with a shorter top right serif, Marsh 4C, (plate 4, 2002 Edition) Spink 3785C stated by them to be Extremely Rare with no price given, pleasing and even VF or better. An excessively rare variety, the first we have ever seen, with no example in the Bentley or Park House Collection none recorded by NGC and one by PCGS
Sovereign 1880S Shield Reverse, Inverted A for V in VICTORIA, unlisted by Marsh, S.3855 GVF/EF the reverse lustrous, a rare and highly desirable variety. Quite possibly an under-rated variety, we note the Bentley collection example only marginally superior to this example, realised £7200 hammer price
Sovereign 1860 Inverted A for V in VICTORIA, 1 over inverted 1 in the date, giving the appearance of a Roman 1, the 8 also double or triple struck with traces of the underlying digits in the centre indent of the both sides of the 8 and with an incomplete lower loop below the over punched 8, unlisted by Marsh, S.3852D for type, the date of similar appearance to the example sold in the Bentley sale (Lot 83) VF/NEF with a heavier contact marks on the tip of the truncation, overall slightly superior to the Bentley example. Two Significant errors on the same coin is a highly unusual occurrence and coupled with the repunching on the 8 even more unusual
Sovereign 1838 with double struck date Marsh 22, GEF with some light surface marks and a gentle edge bruise, Ex-Bentley Collection Lot 398 realised £3000 hammer price, Very Rare. Especially in this high grade
Sovereign 1835 5 over 3 LCGS variety 02, unlisted by Marsh or Spink, of similar type to Lot 963 in the Bentley Sale, GEF in an LCGS holder and graded LCGS 65, an unusual type
Sovereign 1825 Laureate Head Marsh 9, S.3800 GEF and choice with subdued mint lustre and hints of toning around the reverse design, An extremely rare type, with only a small fraction of the 1825 mintage bearing the Laureate Head. Rated R3 by Marsh, this type normally only encountered in low to middle grade, this an exceptional example, formerly in the Bentley Collection (8/5/2013, Part 3, Lot 952 - realised £7440 inclusive of buyers premium), in an LCGS holder and graded LCGS 65, worthy of a place in any high quality Sovereign collection
Sovereign 1874 Shield ReverseMarsh 58, Die Number 32, Extremely rare and rated R4 by Marsh, GVF/NEF and retaining some lustre, in an LCGS holder and graded LCGS 50. The finest known of just 2 examples recorded by the LCGS Population Report. One of the key date rarities in the Victorian Sovereign series. We note this coin now lists at £4000 in VF and £9000 EF in the Standard Catalogue. Notes in the Bentley Collection Catalogue state that only three Die Numbers have been seen for this date (28, 32 and 33), although others are claimed to exist (namely 12,15, 34 and 35) they have not been traced.
Sovereign 1891S an unlisted type, Obverse with the first type legend with D:G: further from the crown, Reverse: Horse with long tail. NEF/EF with some contact marks and small rim nicks. Previously it had been thought that all 1891S Sovereigns were of the second legend type. This type unlisted by Spink, Marsh, McDonald and even the specialist DISH catalogue. According to David Iverson in his excellent publication 'The Jubilee HeadGold Sovereign 1887-1893' there are a small number of 1889S Sovereigns with the first legend (around 3% to 5% estimated.) this number decreases still further for the 1890S Sovereign (around 1% estimated). The discovery of this coin therefore updates the footnote in the Bentley Catalogue (Lot 706) where it is stated that all 1891S Sovereigns have the second obverse legend. An important coin in this fascinating series and sure to be of great interest to the Specialist Victoria Gold collector
Sovereign 1860 Inverted A for V in VICTORIA, 8 of date repunched over a weaker low 8, and with letter O for 0 in date. The date evenly spaced (date as Bentley Lot 1006) whereas the normal date type for this year shows a tall 0 closer to the 6. S.3852D, VF/NEF and superior to both the 'Inverted A' coins in the Bentley Collection, which both realised £1080 when auctioned in 2012-2013
Sovereign 1850 with a 5 struck over the 8 of the date, a recently discovered type, NVF/Good Fine and extremely rare, the overstrike extremely bold and clear. This the same variety as the coin listed in the Bentley Collection (Lot 986), where it was stated 'the cataloguer has heard of only one other specimen extant' and that the Bentley collector waited 5 years to acquire his example. We note the Bentley example, described as 'Cleaned, Good Very Fine' realised £2520 in May 2013. In the light of this, there will be few opportunities to obtain this coin for any advanced Sovereign Collection, and it may be many years before another example is offered
Farthing 1847 with Inverted 1 over normal 1 in date giving the appearance of a Roman 1, this in similar style to the similar Sovereign variety of this date (See Bentley sale Lot 408), Reverse B (no flaw by Britannia's arm) B of BRIT has no serifs top or bottom, date spacing 8 3/4 teeth, the date spacing as LCGS Variety 06. EF/NEF and presumably very rare, our archive database stretching back to 2003 confirms we have not previously offered this type. We note also that there was no corresponding type in the Colin Cooke collection
Sovereign 1830 William IV Gold Pattern by W.Wyon after Chantrey's Model. Coarse hair and with flat-topped ear, Coarse Beading, the nose points to the last I in BRITANNIAR. W.W. incuse on the truncation. Reverse by J.B.Merlen. Die Axis inverted. S.3829B, Wilson & Rasmussen 260 and rated R5, in an NGC holder and graded PF61 Cameo, some hairlines in the fields but retaining much original mint lustre, a key rarity and an interesting Pattern for the William IV collector, with no William IV currency coins minted for this date. We note the Bentley example realised £19,200 hammer price as far back as 2013. Now lists in the Spink catalogue at £21,500
Sovereign 1843 the 3 of the date is overstruck the style unlike the 3 over 2, 3 over inverted 2, or 3 over 8 types previously recorded, there is also no die match for any of the Bentley examples. About Fine/Fine and unusual
Sovereign 1861 8 in date inverted (lower loop smaller than the top loop) S.3852D, the date similar to Bentley Lot 86, without the over punched E in DEI, so clearly more than one obverse die had this date error , in an NGC holder and graded XF45, the error not stated on the holder
Sovereign 1853 WW Raised, the date figures with 8 over lower 8, the underlying 8 broken at it's base, the 1 and 5 also with traces of double striking under magnification Marsh 36, S.3852C, NEF/EF with small edge nicks, we note there was no similar type in the extensive Bentley collection
Sovereign 1881M Shield Reverse, the portrait with rounded truncation, see notes in McDonald (Page 59) NVF/VF, we note there was no example in the Bentley Collection
Sovereign 1853 WW incuse, the 5 of the date with a broken upright stem and thus appearing as a clear flat-topped 3, and is also double struck. This giving an odd appearance as the figure is also narrower than the following 3. The 1853 overdate or double struck dates catalogued in the Bentley sale all occurred with the WW Raised portrait type. (In all 5 are listed by Bentley), this coin a bold Fine, and potentially very rare
Sovereign 1880 Second 8 over 7, Horse with long tail, WW buried in truncation, Small B.P. with the same combination of characteristics as Bentley lots 315 and 1224 (both of these are listed as S.3856D, but have WW buried in truncation) VF and unlisted by Spink as such
Sovereign 1874 Shield Reverse, Marsh 58, S.3853B, Die Number 33 NVF/VF with a small graze by the Queen's eye, stated at the time of the Bentley sale to be less than five known examples, one of a trio of 1874 Die Number Sovereigns offered in this sale, all extremely rare
Sovereign 1874 Shield Reverse, Marsh 58, S.3853B, Die Number 28 VF/GVF the obverse with some heavier contact marks, overall superior to the example sold in the Bentley Collection 27/9/2012 Lot 624 which realised £6480 inclusive of buyers premium, one of a trio of 1874 Die Number Sovereigns offered in this sale, all extremely rare
Sovereign 1825 Laureate Head Marsh 9 GEF/AU with some light contact marks on prooflike fields, sharp and with much eye appeal, an extremely rare coin one of the key pieces in the entire Sovereign series and difficult to find in high grade, of similar quality to the example in the Bentley Collection Part 3, Ex-London Coins Auction A145 1/6/2014 Lot 2213 hammer price £6435, now in an LCGS holder and graded LCGS 70, the finest known of just 3 examples thus far recorded by the LCGS Population Report
Sovereign 1920M Marsh 238, S.3999 , in a PCGS holder and graded MS62+, Ex-Bentley collection Lot 833, Ex Winsor and Sons, Jamberoo, NSW Australia, purchased c.2004 (realised £6240 in the Bentley Sale)
Sovereign 1863 1 over inverted 1 in date giving the impression of a Roman 1, VF, very similar to the example in the Bentley Sale, Lot 97 which realised £840 in About EF
Guinea 1685 Elephant and CastleS.3401 UNC retaining much original mint lustre and with a peripheral light tone. Very attractive and fully struck, vastly superior in grade and strike than the Jacob.Y.Terner example (Ex-Bridgewater House collection), which graded NGC MS63, described as 'mint fresh and beautiful', and realised $18,400 at Ira and Larry Goldbergs Auction in 2003 (Lot 20), similar in quality to the illustration on page 9 of the Bentley Collection catalogue detailing the history of the Gold Sovereign and it predecessors. A truly stunning example of this rare two-year type, and seldom offered in any grade, perhaps one of the finest examples extant. The elephant and castle was the emblem of the Royal African company, founded in 1660 as the Company of Royal Adventurers Trading in Africa. This organisation held a monopoly on trade along the West African coast. In 1667 the original company collapsed but later merged with the Gambian Merchants Company to become in 1672 the Royal African Company. Trading was chiefly in gold and silver, and sadly for several decades, human slaves
Sovereign 1848 Second Head, 8 over 7 in date, on close examination the evidence of the underlying 7 is seen below the second 8 and to the top right of the second 8, unlisted by Marsh or Spink and we note there was no example in the Bentley Collection, NVF/GF, Very Rare
Medals (4) Robert Bentley Todd, Kings College London 1860, 76mm in bronze NEF, Lusitania medal 1915 EF, Italian Cinematic Medal 1960 40th Anniversary of Cinematography 70mm diameter in bronze, EF, Italy Rome 1973 Declaration of Human Rights 50mm Gilt in case
Sovereign 1820 Short date figures, closely spaced, with open 2, as Marsh 4, similar type to the Bentley collection Lot 945, a different date arrangement to that normally seen on the short date type, Fine/Good Fine with some thin scratches on the obverse, far superior to the example in the Bentley collection, many times scarcer than the closed 2 type, Short date coin as results show on our archive database
Ireland Tokens 18th and 19th Century (32) 8 Pence Ballyglunin and Menlough Castle M.I.Blake, 6 Pence Ballyglunin and Menlough Castle M.I.Blake, 4 Pence Ballyglunin and Menlough Castle M.I.Blake, all undated, Halfpennies18th Century (9) 1789 Wicklow - Cronebane (4), 1792 Camac DH42, 1792 Dublin R L J and Co., 1794 Dublin - Talbot Fyan DH308a, Dublin 1795 H S and Co. Plumes Reverse DH324, 1794 A C M Co., Halfpennies 19th Century (5) 1804 Dublin 1804 For the convenience of Trade, 1806 St. Patrick APOS 432. 1813 Dublin J.Miles 1819 Non-local, Harp reverse, 1820 Hibernicus, Farthings 19th Century Dublin, Todd and Co. (Bell 2), Ferrar and Co Belfast (Bell 6), C and P McGlade Belfast (Bell 18), Pennies 19th Century (11) 1804 Bentley and Co. (Bell 1), Rare, 1813 Edward Stephens, James Street Dublin, 1813 Strabane, 1814 Edward Stephens (holed), 1815 Burke Hibernia 1816 Edward Stephens, 1818 Luke XX, Chap XXV Ver (2) , 1818 Wellington and Erin Go Bragh, 1820 Bust of George III/Crowned Harp, 1858 Cloghjordan William Hodgins Banker, silvered, in mixed grades most around Fine, a few EF and lustrous, along with Ireland Farthing token Youghal this in low grade
Sovereign 1843 3 over inverted 2, the 3 with thick formation, does not match any of the types from the Bentley collection, Near Fine, an interesting piece, and worthy of further study
Sovereign 1863 with the die number 827 on the truncation Marsh 46A Rarity 6, Spink 3852F no die number variety, Good Fine and bold, we note the Bentley example realised £18,600, and our previous example in Auction A150 in GVF realised £14040 inclusive of buyers premium, extremely rare and only the third we have offered, a rare opportunity for all serious Sovereign collectors to obtain this key date variety
GB and World in albums and bags, including silver along with Books (2) Freeman The Bronze Coinage of England and Gouby The British Bronze Penny and three auction catalogues including The Bentley Collection Part 1 (lot, 24 kilos gross weight)
Sovereign 1872 Shield ReverseMarsh 56, Die Number 65 over Die Number 64 Fine or better with some scratches on the portrait, we note the Bentley example albeit in higher grade realised £1300 hammer price
Sovereign 1863 with the die number 827 on the truncation Marsh 46A Rarity 6, Spink 3852F no die number variety VF the reverse better, we note the Bentley example realised £18,600, and our previous example in Auction A150 in GVF realised £14040 inclusive of buyers premium, extremely rare and only the second we have offered, and a rare opportunity for all serious Sovereign collectors to obtain this key date variety
Sovereign 1863 with the die number 827 on the truncation Marsh 48A Rarity 5, Spink 3853A no die number variety GVF reverse better a comparison to the Bentley example catalogue picture suggests this coin looks superior, the Bentley example realised £18,600, extremely rare and the first we have offered, and a must have for all serious Sovereign collectors
Sovereign 1836 Additional Letter N above ANNO Marsh 20A, VF reverse better very rare in this grade in a CGS holder and graded 50 by them and the only one recorded by CGS. There are thought to be less than 10 specimens in existence of the striking variety, the Bentley example graded as GVF realised £12,000 hammer
Sovereign 1825 Laureate Head Marsh 9 Ex-Baldwins Auction 79 8/5/2013 Bentley Collection Part 3 Lot 952 (realised £7,688 hammer) choice GEF and graded 65 by CGS
Sovereign 1862 Small Date. R over inverted R in VICTORIA. (Note: 1 over lower 1 in date), Ex-Baldwins Auction 79 8/5/2013 Bentley Collection Part 3 Lot 1013 (realised £2,500 against an estimate of £1,000) CGS variety 03 (not listed by Marsh) Good EF and graded 70 by CGS and the only one recorded on the CGS population report
Sovereign 1887 Jubilee HeadPattern, with the obverse displaying 14 Beads to Queen’s necklace rather than 13 on the standard currency and Proof coin.
J.E.B. initials fully on the truncation, on the standard Proof issue they encroach slightly into the field. On the 14 bead coin there is a smaller gap between the A in VICTORIA and the following D of D:G: .This obverse as Baldwin's Bentley sale 8/5/2013 Lot 1228. Reverse: The P of the B.P. initials is poorly rendered, appearing more like a triangle. There are also no stops in between.
The top line of the streamer on the helmet makes a smooth curve onto the next line down, whereas on the standard Proof it is distinctly separate.
The 7 of the date has an extra piece protruding from the right of the horizontal stroke.
The Reverse characteristics are similar to a reverse uniface Proof in the Royal Mint Museum, and had previously not been recorded before on a Proof or currency piece. UNC with prooflike fields, the design and legend heavily frosted. This reverse is as the Royal Mint uniface trial piece. Both obverse and reverse dies types are known, but until now, not on the same coin, and the existence of this piece links together the two previously known types. Comes with a comprehensive folder full of interesting data and research relating to this piece and the other pieces bearing the obverse and reverse die types and their developments and origins, along with many useful and important photographs. Also with authentication from Robert Matthews(ex Royal Mint and a recognised expert in authentication). Slabbed and graded CGS 75, a unique opportunity to acquire this important and unique piece
Sovereign 1825 Laureate Head Marsh 9 GEF/AU with some light contact marks on prooflike fields, sharp and with much eye appeal, an extremely rare coin one of the key pieces in the entire Sovereign series and difficult to find in high grade, of similar quality to the example in the Bentley Collection Part 3
South AfricaBurgers Pond 1874 Fine Beard KM#1.2 NGC AU55, EF/GEF and extremely rare in this pleasing and high grade. This 1874 issue was South Africa's first circulating Pond (Pound or Sovereign) issue, engraved by Leonard Wyon the then Royal Mint engraver and struck by the Heaton Mint Birmingham. The coin was rejected by South African legislators who objected to the use of the portrait of Thomas Burgers the 2nd president of the Republic and the man entrusted with the design. The total issue of 695 were sold off as novelties with the vast majority becoming jewellery pieces, hence the extreme rarity of undamaged examples in this high grade. As well as South African collectors the coin fits well into any comprehensive Sovereign collection being the same weight and fineness, and in fact an example was sold in the recent Bentley Sovereign Collection at Baldwins which realised £38,000
Sovereign 1843 3 in date struck over a higher 2. NB see illustrations in Marsh) the top of the 2 is visible above the horizontal top line of the 3. Also the underlying 2 downstroke is higher than in the Marsh illustration, and thus the end of the base is not visible at the right as it is obscured by the curve of the 3, Ex-Baldwins Auction 79 8/5/2013 Bentley Collection Part 3 Lot 972, EF and graded 60 by CGS
Sovereign 1842 with Open 2 over 1 in date, with the pointed 4 in the date, as normally associated with this variety, this significant coin thus proving that the 1841 dies were re-used the following year. This also lends weight to the possibility of a 'pointed 4' 1841 coin, which, given the rarity of 1841 coin, would possibly be an even rarer type. The 1841 usually has a square top 4, (See the recent Bentley sale Lot 41) CGS Variety 05 graded CGS 45, the only example of type thus far recorded on the CGS Population Report, Very Rare
Sovereign 1864 Marsh 49 Die Number 77 GF/NVF this die number unlisted by Marsh, we note the missing top serif to the B in BRITANNIARUM, and the die flaw at the first I and T similar to the example from this die in the recent Bentley Collection
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