Victoria, unofficial "Pattern Crown" dated 1879, struck in .916 (22ct) gold, to a brilliant proof finish, coronetted young head left, by Donald R Golder after Wyon, DRG below, date below, VICTORIA DEI GRATIA, rev. struck en medaille, the "Three Graces" standing, ship in background, rose and thistle motif in exergue, FACIAM EOS IN GENTEM UNAM, toothed border both sides, edge plain, weight 40.4g., diameter 38.6 mm., brilliant, as struck, unique in gold

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PART TWO BACKGROUND TO SECTION 2 OF THE AUCTION Initiated in 1999 there was an idea to produce an official series of six legal tender Millennial coins for a Commonwealth country, like the Solomon Islands or Zambia, which would feature the six monarchs of the twentieth century; Victoria, Edward VII, George V, Edward VIII, George VI and Elizabeth II. British sculptor Donald R. Golder completed the task of sculpting twenty Royal portraits, which were inspired by contemporary coinage models. The envisaged six-coin series never came to fruition, but two of Golder's royal portraits were eventually featured on the 2001 Zambia coinage set which commemorates the death of Victoria and the accession of Edward VII in 1901 (see lots 74 to 81 for unique strikings in platinum and gold of these pieces). A parallel series of modern high quality unofficial "retrospective patterns" for Great Britain, Australia, Canada, Cyprus, Hong Kong, Ireland, Isle of Man, Jersey, New Zealand, South Africa, and Southern Rhodesia have been produced using all of Golder's modern obverse portraits, coupled with modern reverses which are based on old designs. All the unofficial pieces offered in this part of the sale (lots 82 to 1003 inclusive), have therefore been struck in the years 2000-2001. A.G. Wyon's original model for the reverse of the 1910 pattern crown, offered for sale in section 1 of the auction, has been used to inspire some unofficial "pattern crowns" for George V and Edward VII. William Wyon's 'Three Graces' design, personifying Ireland, England and Scotland, has been the inspiration for a quantity of modern Victorian "patterns". There is a modern 'wreath crown' of Edward VIII featuring a new version of Kruger Gray's popular reverse motif and several modern "patterns" for Ireland, which emulate those of Reginald Huth. Altogether there are 174 unique modern gold strikings offered for sale, with more than 50 (cancelled) original dies, lead impressions, etc. There are several thousand pieces in proof (.925) silver, copper and golden alloy (a metal akin to goloid used in the production of many US patterns) of the various types; all modern and struck in the last year.

Details

Victoria, unofficial "Pattern Crown" dated 1879, struck in .916 (22ct) gold, to a brilliant proof finish, coronetted young head left, by Donald R Golder after Wyon, DRG below, date below, VICTORIA DEI GRATIA, rev. struck en medaille, the "Three Graces" standing, ship in background, rose and thistle motif in exergue, FACIAM EOS IN GENTEM UNAM, toothed border both sides, edge plain, weight 40.4g., diameter 38.6 mm., brilliant, as struck, unique in gold

Special notice

VAT rate of 17.5% is payable on hammer price plus buyer’s premium.

Lot Essay

The 'Three Graces' design (personifying England, Ireland and Scotland) has provided one of the most popular British coinage reverses. The original by William Wyon (1795-1851) was featured on the 1817 George III pattern Crown and was the only time such a design has been used. These modern (1879 dated) pieces made in the last year, intend to show how a modified version of Wyon's configuration could have looked.
This modern version by Donald R. Golder differs from Wyon's in several respects. The Irish harp has been replaced by a three-masted sailing ship, which represents commerce, the Scottish thistle to the right of Scotia has been omitted, and the palm branch and quiver in Wyon's exergue has been replaced by a shamrock, rose and thistle cluster. The legend FOEDUS INVIOLABLE becomes FACIAM EOS IN GENTEM UNAM ('I will make of them one nation' Ezekiel, 37.22). The facial features of the three females are quite different, as is Hibernia's dress, and Wyon's border of beads becomes a 'toothed' version for this modern issue.