| St. James's Auctions Ltd > Auction 86 | Auction date: 28 February 2024 |
| Lot number: 45 Price realized: 7,600 GBP (Approx. 9,639 USD / 8,886 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | Show similar lots on CoinArchives Find similar lots in upcoming auctions on  |
| Lot description: Victoria, proof halfcrown, 1853, young head left, rev. crowned shield, milled edge (S.3888; ESC.2736), certified and graded by NGC as Proof-64, pleasing golden grey toning, very rare (proof-only) date as issued in the special proof sets of this year, mintage unknown but in the dozens at most Three graded as Proof-64 by NGC, two graded higher. It is not known exactly why the coveted 1853 Proof Set came to exist, and certainly not how many of each denomination that appeared in the set were minted. Because a few sets are known to have been issued in heart-shaped special presentation plush cases, they may possibly have been conceived as gifts to be given by Prince Albert or for friends of the Royal Family on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of Victoria's accession to the throne. They did not include the 1839-dated £5 Una & the Lion because those coins were still being made for collectors individually. Whatever was the reason for minting the 1853 proofs, all are very desirable and, in truth, rare in the absolute sense. Estimate: 6500 - 7000 GBP |  |
