United Kingdom, William IV, 1831 Proof Sovereign

United Kingdom, William IV, 1831 Proof Sovereign Scarce, Single Finest (NGC & PCGS) NGC Proof 67 Ultra Cameo

- The single finest graded example by both major grading companies and quite possibly the finest example available to collectors.

- A scarce and extremely popular proof issue.

- The result of a collaboration between three of the greatest sculptors and engravers in British history: F.L. Chantrey, W. Wyon, and J.B. Merlen.

Condition

NGC Proof 67 Ultra Cameo. Astounding, with a perfect cameo and entirely full strike. Immaculate, lustrous devices, with shadows of orange tone on obverse. Single finest (NGC & PCGS) and undoubtedly one of the finest known. Scarce and sought after.

Obverse

Second bare head right, W.W. incuse on truncation; GULIELMUS IIII D: G: BRITANNIAR: REX F: D: [William IV, by the grace of God, King of Britain, defender of the faith].

Reverse

Crowned shield and mantle; ANNO [year] and date below.

Edge

Plain.

Our Price:

£79,500.00

Weight

7.67 g

Diameter

approx. 22 mm

Metal

gold

Fineness

22 carat (91.67%)

Fine weight

7.031 g (0.2260 oz t)

Production method

milled

Alignment

coin ↑↓

Designer

obv.: Francis Leggatt Chantrey (1781-1841)
rev.: Johann B. Merlen (1769-1850)

Engraver

obv.: William Wyon (1795-1851)
rev.: Johann B. Merlen (1769-1850)

General References

Fr.383a; KM.717; Marsh.16D [S]; MCE.489; S.3829B; WR.261 [R3]

Collection References

DM.179; Montagu.1084; Murdoch.440 (part); Norweb.205/6; Schneider.II.-; Slaney.125

Certification number

#2124460-018
NGC Census in this grade: 1, single finest graded.
Total NGC Census: 43

The Coin

This example is one of the finest - if not the very finest – example of this extremely popular issue available to collectors. A grade of PF67 UCAM warrants a double take when dealing with this period. Visually, the coin is stunning. The deepest of cameos surrounds lustrous devices so pristine they seem cut out of ceramic. The strike is completely full, with not even a touch of wear. It is so rare to be able to enjoy a design in such a perfect strike and state preservation. It is an exceptional coin and thus an exceedingly rare opportunity to purchase a truly phenomenal example of British, proof coinage.

The pattern proof series of 1831 contains some of the most popular issues in British coinage. The proof sovereign – as part of the extremely popular sovereign series – is a highly sought after member of the 1831 issues, with the finest examples demanding immense premiums as collectors vie for the best of the best. Although there are likely over 100 examples available, the popularity of the issue has augmented its perceived rarity. Wilson and Rasmussen (2000) awarded the coin a rating of R3 (extremely rare), however Marsh (2021) describes the coin as merely scarce. The truth lies between these two assessments, helped largely by the huge demand for the type consistently over the decades, as those examples that do pop up are quickly cached by eager investors.

The bust was designed on request of the King by Sir Francis Leggatt Chantrey (1781-1841). At the time, Chantrey was widely considered the greatest living sculptor. So great was William IV’s admiration of the sculptor that he had knighted him just prior to this coin’s release. Chantrey’s innate gift for capturing the soft reality and characteristics of human form to a cold, hard medium is no more evident than in his bust of William IV for these issues, so masterfully put to steel by the great William Wyon (1795-1851). The delicately elaborate reverse - designed and engraved by Johann Merlen - is the perfect counterpiece to Chantrey’s simplicity of excellence. These two artistic feats rendered in stark cameo make the 1831 double sovereign so pleasing in its balance and style that the coin is an example of the highest achievements of British coinage. Naturally, this elegance and simplicity is easily marred by relatively minor scuffs that have a disproportionate effect on the eye appeal of the coin. On top of this not all examples were struck with equal cameo leaving the higher contrast examples that much more desirable.

William IV (1795-1837)

William IV inherited the throne of the United Kingdom upon his brother George IV’s death in 1830 and ruled for seven years. William was markedly different to his Hanoverian predecessors in public perception: he was disciplined, eschewed decadence and was somewhat popular among his subjects. However, much like those who had come before him William resisted parliamentary reform and fought to keep control with the aristocracy and away from the Commons. This would be his downfall and in 1837 William died politically weakened and unpopular, leaving the crown to his 18-year-old niece, the soon-to-be-Queen Victoria.

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Country	Royal Mail	DHL
UK	£8.50	£16.00
Channel Islands	£10	£17.00
Isle of Man	£10	£17.00
Gibraltar	£22	£45.00

Orders to mainland Europe are shipped via Royal Mail up to an order value of £1,000, via DHL on order values over £1,000. Insurance cover at 0.5% of order total will be added. Prices are excluding VAT.

Country	Royal Mail	DHL	Country	Royal Mail	DHL
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Latvia	£15.00	£40.00	Ukraine	£15.00	£55.00

Orders to rest of the world are shipped via Royal Mail up to an order value of £2,500, via DHL on order values over £2,500. Insurance cover at 0.5% of order total will be added. Prices are excluding VAT.

Country	Royal Mail	DHL
US	£15.00	£50.00
Canada	£15.00	£50.00
Australia	£15.00	£55.00
Japan	£15.00	£55.00
Singapore	£15.00	£55.00
China	£15.00	£55.00
Rest of World	£20.00	£55.00

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