PREVIEW: BRITISH COINS FROM THE COLLECTION OF THE LATE JOHN SABBERTON: 18 SEPTEMBER

One of the features of this exceptional collection is Noonans’ assessment that the some of the coins it features are of a considerably higher standard than the slab gradings they have been awarded.

Take, for instance, the brilliant Proof Five Pounds for Queen Victoria (1837-1901), dated 1887. Edge grained and virtually as struck, this superb specimen has been graded by NGC PF63. This means it is officially considered a ‘slightly weak or average strike with moderate abrasions and hairlines of varying sizes’. As Noonans’ catalogue states, however, “In the opinion of the cataloguer the coin is far superior to the suggested slab grade.” The estimate is £20,000-26,000.

 

Another example is the extremely rare 1917 London Sovereign for George V (1910-1936), which has a few minor surface marks, but is otherwise about extremely fine, with the reverse better. It has guide of £15,000-20,000.

Other highlights include an extremely rare 1911 edge grained Specimen Sovereign, struck for Ottawa. With a satin finish, in mint state and as struck, this superb piece is expected to fetch £10,000-15,000.

A George III (1760-1820) new coinage, Pattern Two Pounds, dating to 1820, and designed by the Italian medallist and coin engraver Benedetto Pistrucci, shows the laureate bust of the king right, with the reverse depicting Pisrucci’s defining design of St George and dragon. With considerable light scuffing in the fields, it yet retains its underlying original brilliance, and is offered in about extremely fine condition. A very rare coin, it, too, should sell for £10,000-15,000.

An extremely rare high grade 1841 Sovereign, with the two letter A’s un-barred in the word GRATIA is about extremely fine, the reverse better, and retaining some original brilliance. One of the finest examples known, it carries hopes of £10,000-15,000.

From a much more recent issue comes an Elizabeth II (1952-2022), Proof 500 Pounds, dated 2021. Struck in gold, and featuring Her Late Majesty to the obverse, the reverse depicts the young Queen celebrated Victoria’s Gothic effigy created by William Wyon in 1847. Mint-sealed in its case of issue, it comes with the original certificate (no. 047) and is estimated at £9,000-12,000.