Lot 389
Great Britain. Pattern Guinea, 1761. WR-82. DM-96. By Tanner. George III, 1760-1820. Plain laureate head right. Reverse: Crowned and garnished shield. Plain edge. This is R5, extremely rare (just 6 to 10 known). Any early George III guinea is most elusive, but a splendid cameoed pattern Proof such as this is even more so! Here, the king's portrait gleams with a special brilliance, seen on few other coins of any kind. NGC graded Proof 66 Ultra Cameo.
A gorgeous, striking design, with the curly hair reminding one of the splendid "Fine Work" guinea of William III, struck some sixty years earlier. Perhaps it was an inspiration for John Tanner, during this period when he and Richard Yeo were competing against each other's considerable talents for the king's pleasure (as well as that of the coinage committee). Patterns in gold reached new levels of beauty and technical proficiency in the 1760s and 1770s.
Estimated Value $10,000 - 12,000.
Ex Spink sale #96, lot 240. Ex Dr Jacob Y. Terner Collection.
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| Realized $25,300 |
