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Auction: 21007 - British and World Coins Autumn Auction
Lot: 197

(g) Victoria (1837-1901), 'Golden Jubilee' Proof Five-Pounds, 1887 'No B.P.', crowned 'Jubilee' bust left, rev. St George and Dragon, 1887 below, NO B.P., 39.63g, 12h (L&S 73; W&R 286; Spink 3864), filed at 12 and 1 o'clock and acid tested on portrait, nevertheless with light handling marks in otherwise brilliant fields, the portrait distinctly cameo, struck details extremely fine or better, extremely rare

Prior to this wanton act of numismatic vandalism, this coin would have been a considerably prized jewel in any connoisseur's cabinet. Perhaps only twenty examples are known of the 1887 Five Pounds without the Pistrucci signature, the variety believed to have occurred thanks to preparatory examples being struck off before the dies had hardened. Consequently this coin may be one of the first of the 773 examples ultimately struck. Whilst its recent act of desecration may ruin an otherwise sacrosanct rarity in the eyes of most, its damage may perhaps in time be viewed as part of this unfortunate specimen's 'second life'.

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Sold for
£8,000

Starting price
£1500