Victoria 1847 proof Gothic Crown plain edge

Victoria (1837-1901), Proof Gothic silver Crown, 1847, plain edge, engraved by William Wyon, crowned gothic style bust left, small ww incuse on truncation, trefoil and arc border, legend in lower case Gothic lettering both sides, Victoria dei gratia britanniar. Reg: f: d. rev. inverted die axis, crowned cruciform shields, emblems in angles, garter star at centre, w incuse on inner border either dies of top crown, date in roman numerals in lower right of legend which commences in upper left quarter, U over inverted n in second word, m over inverted m in dom, tueatur unita deus anno dom mdcccxlvii, edge plain (Bull 2578/2579; Davies 471; L&S 58; ESC 291; S.3883). Attractively toned, practically as struck, has been graded and slabbed by NGC as PF64 Cameo.

NGC certification 2724337-002

One of the most spectacular designs for a silver coin in the entire British Milled series the Proof Gothic Crowns with plain edges were only struck in very small numbers. William Wyon (1795-1851) was the Royal Academy engraver responsible and was at the peak of his career having also designed the equally impressive gold "Una and the Lion" Five Pound pieces dated 1839 also in Roman numerals.

The Latin legends translates on obverse as "Victoria by the Grace of God, Queen of the Britain's, Defender of the Faith," and on the reverse as "May God guard these united, in the year of our Lord 1847."

The reference book by Bull creates some confusion with the plain edge varieties as only very few were struck in pure silver which can only be realistically revealed by specific gravity testing, with the majority struck in sterling silver. Additionally some varieties are listed separately when as in this case the two reverse varieties occur on the same coin.