PREVIEW: THE HETHERSETT COLLECTION OF CROWNS & HISTORICAL MEDALS: 27 JUNE

Crowns and proof crowns lead the way in this auction of rarities, starting with an 1831 Proof Crown for William IV (1830-1837).

The monarch’s bust, right, is uncrowned and surrounded by the legend GULIELMUS IIII D: G: BRITANNIAR: REC F: D:. The reverse is decorated with a highly detailed crown over a square-topped shield of arms draped with a mantle. About as struck, the fields prettily toned and retaining considerable brilliance, this rare and particularly attractive coin is estimated at £15,000-20,000.

 

An 1847 Victoria (1837-1901) Proof Crown, struck in pure silver, features the Gothic bust, left, and the legend VICTORIA DEI GRATIA BRITANNIAR REG: F: D. The reverse shows a crown surmounting a cruciform shield with identical crowns at 3, 6 and 9 o’clock. It is inscribed TUEATUR UNITA DEUS ANNO DOM MDCCCXLVIIE, Extremely fine and extremely rare, the fields are blue-toned and reflective but also lightly hairlined, and the estimate is £10,000-12,000.

A Commonwealth (1649-1660) Crown of 1652/1 is of plainer but striking design. Showing 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 shows 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, it is extremely rare and pitched at £6,000-8,000.