PREVIEW: COINS: 3 MARCH

It was quite a Christmas present for a 17-year-old boy in 1956: a 1788 George III ‘laurel head’ portrait gold piece then costing £50. But by then Bill Clarke had earned it.

Five years earlier he had won the first prize in the London (Ontario) Hobby Fair, coming second the following year, and in 1955 became the youngest member of the London Numismatic Society. He was to become its first Honorary President 61 years later.

Now British and World Coins from the collection of William N. Clarke (1939-2025) come to auction here. They include English hammered coins, British milled coins, Scottish and Irish coins, as well as British Colonial and World coins.

Leading the highlights are there coins from James VI of Scotland, later James I of England.

The first is a Seventh coinage, Rider of James VI (1567-1625) dating to 1594, before his Accession to the English throne. With some scratches and an edge-knock at 10 o’clock, it is otherwise very fine and estimated at £2,000-2,600.

A James I (1603-1625), Second coinage Unite, shows the fourth bust and tower mint marks. With a few marks, but otherwise nearly very fine, peripherally toned and scarce, it carries hopes of £1,500-1,800.

A James VI (1567-1625) Unite from the Tenth coinage after the Accession, shows the thistle-head, with Scottish arms in the first and fourth quarters. It has a few edge-marks, but is otherwise in better very fine condition with a strong portrait and guided at £1,500-1,800.