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Auction: 382 - The Numismatic Collector's Series Sale at NY INC
Lot: 393

George VI (1936-1952), 'VIP' Proof Threepence, 1952, by T Humphrey Paget, GEORGIVS VI D: G: BR: OMN: REX FIDEI DEF. bare head left, rev. THREE PENCE - 1952, thrift plant, dodecagonal edge plain, 12h (BMC [Peck] 2399; Spink 4113), some miniscule carbon spots in otherwise evidently brilliant fields, much as struck, of the highest rarity and numismatic importance to the House of Windsor alongside the iconic 'Unique' Proof Halfcrown and Penny of the same year

The rarity of the Proof strikings of the Halfcrown and Penny of 1952 are already well known, both being understood to be unique. However surprisingly the most instantly recognisable coin conceived during the reign of King George VI - the brass dodecagonal Threepence - circulated in tandem, and eventually in replacement of, the silver Threepence from 1937. The King's surprising death at Sandringham on 6 February 1952 ensured the immediate cessation of large-scale production of his specie for the remainder of that year, with the eventual Coronation coinage of Queen Elizabeth II approved for circulation on 19 November. Nevertheless as was customary with virtually every Royal transition since 1820, and markedly not observed most recently, the observance of a transitional grace period in which the late monarch's coinage continued to be struck posthumously for the remainder of the calendar year. Consequently collectors today still enjoy seeking 1952-dated Sixpences for their heightened rarity, as much as they value 1936-dated Wreath Crowns for being the only year in English history to have three Kings on the English throne.

Proof Strikings and sets are known for every year of King George VI's coinage with 1937, 1950 and 1951 mass-produced for public consumption and the intervening years occupied by exceedingly rare VIP strikings. At our last NYINC Collectors Auction, Spink was proud to bring to market an extraordinary rediscovery 1934 'VIP Proof Set' which grossed an exceptional $47,400 despite wanting the Florin. As desirable as that iconic series was, from a numismatic standpoint the plaudits of owning an even rarer VIP Proof, struck in the year of Royal transition and on the very coin by which this King became most familiar to his subjects and coin collectors should rank this coin of extreme interest to the trophy hunting connoisseur.


For numismatic accuracy a study of CoinArchives provides a parallel coin as offered in these Spink rooms in June 2009 (lot 452), as well as an example from the British Museum collection, suggesting that whilst not Unique, it is nevertheless of extreme rarity.