Lot 2175
Great Britain. Pattern silver Sixpence by Blondeau (and Simon), 1651. Commonwealth of England. ESC-1498, plain edge. Struck in a screw press. R2, very rare. Peter (or Pierre) Blondeau, Forrer tells us, was another in a line of French engravers who invented better minting equipment. He came to England in September 1649 at the request of Parliament and made a small number of patterns on his equipment, from dies cut by the great Thomas Simon. After the Civil War ended, Charles II brought him back to England to assist in the new coinage for the Restoration. Forrer says that "much jealousy" was shown towards him when he first arrived, in 1649, and British coiners at the mint produced some patterns by David Ramage in order to show that foreign assistance was not needed. "Though these pieces were very inferior in neatness of execution to those of Blondeau, the opposition was successful and he left the kingdom," notes Forrer. It took a war, and several years, for the Royal Mint to acknowledge Blondeau's accomplishment, and invite his return. His special coins of 1651 (which include a tiny number of halfcrowns, shillings and sixpence, as here) are a great testament to his courage and talents, and are all that remain of his work for the Commonwealth. This wonderful specimen is a gem of its issue, especially sharp and free of defects, having a lovely, ancient-gray tone enhanced by delicate iridescence. It is truly exquisite. Its owner believes it to be the finest known Blondeau sixpence, and a work of high Renaissance art! NGC graded MS-64.
Estimated Value $4,500 - 5,250.
The Cheshire Collection.
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| Realized $4,255 |
