Great Britain, George III, 1764 Proof Half-Guinea - NGC PF64 CAM Extremely Rare, R5, Dual Finest Graded, ex. Slaney, ex. Dangar

This is an extremely rare pattern issue by the great Richard Yeo in his prime. Only five examples, including this one, have traded publicly in the last two decades. This particularly delicate and well-proportioned bust exists on no other issue. This is also the joint finest graded example of this unique bust.

The svelte slopes of neck, cheek and shoulder are so perfectly and subtly engraved, giving the impression of freshly pressed snow. A velvet lustre shimmers and dances over each curve breathing life into the regnal depiction. Flipping the coin over, a bold and precisely engraved royal shield meets the eye. This contrast perfectly complements each side of the coin, accenting both the softness of royal flesh and the cold strength of aristocracy. All of this boldly stands out against beautifully reflective fields of a subtle olive tone that under direct light erupts into a blazing yellow.

Truly a world class example, having graced the Dangar Collection, Slaney Collection and British Collection. Befitting only of the cream of numismatic collectors.

Richard Yeo (c.1720-79)

Richard Yeo first came to prominence in 1746 upon his creation of the official medal for the Battle of Culloden. From 1749, he was assistant engraver at the Royal Mint under the great John Sigmund Tanner. In 1775, Yeo officially succeeded Tanner as Chief Engraver at the mint. However, as a result of Tanner’s failing eyesight and other health issues Yeo had been acting effectively as Chief Engraver since 1760 but without the appropriate pay. This was amended in 1768 when he was awarded £500 for past labours. Tanner designed and engraved British coinage as Chief until his death in 1779. Yeo was an extremely accomplished engraver producing several patterns and circulation issues throughout his career and his particularly fine style brought a delicate realism to coins of the period.

Yeo was also a member of the Incorporated Society of Artists (1761-91) and founding member of the Royal Academy of Arts. He exhibited his works at the Academy in both 1769 and 1770.

The Slaney Collection

This coin was a member of the prestigious Slaney Collection – one of the most revered collections of British coinage ever assembled. For decades collectors had wondered where the cream of the numismatic crop liquidated in the 40s and 50s had disappeared to, only to find most of it in the Slaney Collection, which was sold by SPINK in two sales in May 2003 and May 2015. The collection sold for over £4 million; broke numerous sale records; is considered a milestone in British coinage; and ushered in a new era of serious growth in the market.

The British Collection

This coin graced the illustrious British Collection, sold by the Swiss auction house SINCONA in two parts. The collection is one of the most complete and important collections of British coinage ever to exist. Assembled over 50 years of collecting with pieces spanning nearly six centuries and all of astounding quality, the collection sold for $5.8 million and stands as a momentous event in British numismatics, likely not to be bested for years to come.

It is worth noting however that most of the coins in the sale were sold without their provenances, much of which were of the highest prestige. Independent research has been successful in reuniting some of these significant pieces with their history.