Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 5033 - The Colin Adams Collection of Halfcrowns
Lot: 580

George III, Halfcrown, 181-, Uniface obverse striking of large laureate head in silver, on a thin flan, by Benedetto Pistrucci after Thomas Wyon, bust with small difference to the currency issue in the shape and form of the cheek and eye socket, incomplete date below 181, georgius iii dei gratia, toothed border, rev. plain and unworked (Spink Milled Silver Coinage, 1925, page 86, pattern 12), toned as made and probably unique with a wonderful provenance Estimate £ 800-1,000PROVENANCEB Pistrucci, died 1852J G Murdoch, Sotheby, 16 March 1904, lot 286 partSpink Numismatic Circular, December 1905, item 22458H M Lingford, collection purchased en bloc by Baldwin, 1951Lingford records a note written by Pistrucci that originally accompanied this piece but now sadly lost:-´Proof of the head of the half crowns of George III a work by T Wyon head engraver at the Mint and re-touched by me with the diamond point. This head is as copied from one of my cameos preserved at the Mint but was never issued the puncheons of the said head re-touched by me, was burnt several times at the Mint. They are extremely……. As, although they resemble the half crowns in circulation they differ much in the face, which on the common coins is more morbid, given to me by Mr Pole. Signed B Pistrucci´

Sold for
£720