Lot 420
Great Britain. Pattern Silver Crown, ND (1820). ESC-221; KM-PnB80. George III, 1760-1820. Webb & Mills. Laureate Head right. Reverse: Crowned cruciform arms, St George and the Dragon within garter at center; rose, shamrock, thistle and rearing horse in angles. Plain edge. A truly superb and stunningly toned specimen -- the strike impeccable, the surfaces shimmering in bluish green and gold iridescence. NGC graded Proof 64.
Interesting idealized sculptural portrait of the king in laurels. Crowther points out that the reverse emblems are the English rose, Irish shamrock, Hanover horse and Scots thistle, with a tiny Saint George garter in the center. Linecar and Stone explain that Thomas Webb designed the portrait, and George Mills the distinctive cruciform reverse, as commissioned by James Mudie, famous for his medals commemorating British victories. Scarce, but never popular, perhaps this curious piece deserves some reconsideration as a tribute to a dying king, for it must have been made just as George III was drawing his last breaths.
Estimated Value $2,500 - 3,000.
Ex Cheshire Collection (5/30 - 6/1/05), lot 2529.
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| Realized $4,888 |
