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Lot 326
Great Britain. Pattern ¼ Sovereign, 1853. By William Wyon. Victoria Young Head. Plain edge. WR-365. R4: Extremely Rare, 11-20 known. DM-186 (his specimen was only VF-EF!); KM-PN-113. According
to the research article, "Quarter-Sovereigns and Other Small Gold Patterns of the Mid-Victorian Period" by G. P. Dyer (curator of the Royal Mint), in the British Numismatic Journal for 1997, page 77: all of these have plain edges; mintage not
certain, but only 12 were known by 1854. As is true of quite a few of the important rarities in the Terner Collection, the given rarity ratings belie two facts, notably: the known numbers include coins impounded in museums, which will never be available
to collectors, and most of the known specimens are inferior in quality to the pieces offered here in this auction. As that pertains to this extremely rare pattern, it's worth pointing out that the Douglas-Morris specimen was only VF-EF in quality,
while the piece in the British Museum's collection (also the WR plate coin) shows obvious friction in the fields. Therefore, of the 12 known, this specimen is possibly the finest. This denomination was never struck for commerce, of course, and
therefore the only known pieces are these patterns. Here is an extraordinary opportunity. This is a lovely coin, both sides being heavily frosted, and the brilliant mirror surfaces are very flashy. PCGS graded Proof 64 Cameo. Color photo.
Estimated Value $6,000-8,000.
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