Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 24006 - British and World Coins
Lot: 379

(g) NGC AU58 | Victoria (1837-1901), 'Ansell' Sovereign, 1859, second large bust left, with 'Ansell' ribbon to hair fillet, WW incuse on truncation, rev. crowned normal shield within wreath, edge milled, 5.98g, 6h (EGC II, 1132; MCE 520 [R2]; Bentley 426; Marsh 42A; S.3852E), bright but lustrous with die softness to hair, otherwise almost extremely fine, rare and especially desirable in this exemplary state, in NGC holder, graded AU58 (Cert. #8220556-002)

https://www.ngccoin.com/certlookup/8220556-002/58/



In 1859, George Frederick Ansell, who served as head of the rolling room at the Royal Mint, experimented with a rejected shipment of gold coin alloy. The shipment had initially been refused by the Mint due to their strict quality standards for coin striking. Through his metallurgical experiments, Ansell developed a new alloy composition that proved more durable than the traditional sovereign design, with tests showing the coins couldn't be broken even when attacked with pliers.

The coins were minted with Queen Victoria's portrait and included a specific identifying feature - an extra band on the ribbon holding back Victoria's hair - to distinguish them from standard 1859 sovereigns produced from different dies. Despite being known as the 'brittle sovereign' due to the origins of its metal, the coin proved exceptionally strong. A total of 167,539 sovereigns were produced using Ansell's unique alloy composition. However, today they prove to be rare in commerce, especially in such desirable condition.

Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

Estimate
£4,000 to £6,000

Starting price
£4000