REVIEW: THE HETHERSETT COLLECTION OF CROWNS & MEDALS: 27 JUNE

Collectors proved themselves eager to acquire the best in this sale, as the star lots outperformed expectations by a significant margin.

As expected, an 1831 Proof Crown for William IV (1830-1837) proved the biggest attraction. The uncrowned monarch’s bust, right, surrounded by the legend GULIELMUS IIII D: G: BRITANNIAR: REC F: D:, was accompanied on the reverse by a highly detailed crown over a square-topped shield of arms draped with a mantle. Helped by its condition, it doubled its low estimate at £30,000.

 

An 1847 Victoria (1837-1901) Proof Crown, struck in pure silver, and featuring the Gothic bust, left, with the legend VICTORIA DEI GRATIA BRITANNIAR REG: F: D., was in extremely fine condition and extremely rare. It sold for £16,000 against an estimate of £10,000-12,000.

A Commonwealth (1649-1660) Crown of 1652/1 had a shield with the Cross of St George on the obverse surrounded by a wreath topped by the Sun and surrounded by the legend THE COMMONWEALTH OF ENGLAND. The reverse had conjoined shields: the Cross of St George to the left an angel harp to the right surrounded by the legend GOD WITH US 1652. In good extremely fine condition and extremely rare, it topped its £6,000-8,000 guide at £11,000.