Proof for a New King: A Great Rarity at Dix Noonan Webb

A major numismatic rarity will be among the highlights of the auction of Ancient, British and World Coins, Tokens and Commemorative Medals to be held by Dix Noonan Webb, the international coins and medals specialists, in London on 11 February 2015. One of only two known George V 1910 Pattern Crowns in gold designed by A.G. Wyon is estimated at £80,000 to £100,000.

“This is a very exciting coin to include in our auction,” says Christopher Webb, head of the coins department at Dix Noonan Webb. “The George V Pattern Crown is excessively rare and comes with a distinguished provenance.”

When the British King Edward VII died in May 1910, plans for new coins bearing the head of his successor George V were put into place long before the latter was formally crowned at Westminster Abbey in London in June the following year. A number of designs were submitted to the authorities for approval, one of which was by A.G. Wyon, a member of a dynasty of designers and engravers which had played an important role in British public life for more than a century.

Wyon’s design had the bare head of the new king facing left on the obverse while the reverse depicted St George on horseback spearing a dragon with the date below this image.

The George V gold Pattern Crown, 1910, by A.G. Wyon is estimated at up to £100,000 image. Despite his illustrious family pedigree, Wyon’s design was not chosen so his Proof Crown in gold bearing the date 1910 – the year before George officially became king – became a numismatic rarity rather than standard currency. Only two examples are known and the coin to be auctioned at Dix Noonan Webb is in virtually mint state. It has been in a number of important collections over the past century including those assembled by G. Hamilton-Smith, Sir Kenyon Vaughan Morgan, Lady Duveen and C. Dabney Thompson.

Dix Noonan Webb Ltd is one of the world’s leading specialist auctioneers and valuers of coins, tokens, medals, militaria and paper money of all types. Established in 1990, the company boasts over 250 years' combined experience in this field and stages regular auctions throughout the year.

For further press information and images please contact:

Will Bennett:
Telephone: 07770 694254
E-mail: will.bennett@dsl.pipex.com

Dix Noonan Webb
16 Bolton Street
London W1J 8BQ
Telephone: 020 7016 1700
E-mail: auctions@dnw.co.uk

This is a guest article. The thoughts and opinions in the piece are those of their author and are not necessarily the thoughts of the Certified Collectibles Group.