George III copper Proof Pattern 'Hercules' Crown 1820 PR64 Brown NGC, ESC-244 (R2), L&S-212. By J P Droz after Monneron's 1792 pattern by Dupré. Obv. Hercules seated on a lion's skin, breaking a bundle of sticks over his left knee, in exergue is the date above a wreath. Rev. A crowned shield of arms of England, Scotland, France, Ireland, and Hannover. The wonderfully expressive design was inspired by a smaller-sized pattern made in France circa 1791-92 by the firm of Monneron Freres but never coined commercially as it was proscribed by French law of 1793 prohibiting the use of privately created patterns for money. Jean-Pierre Droz, a Swiss engraver of dies for coins and of plates for paper currency, copied the concept of the originals by Augustin Dupré and engraved the set of dies used to strike this pattern for Boulton and Watt at the Soho Mint, Birmingham where this was made. This piece exhibits gleaming chocolate brown fields which lighten to a subtle mahogany as they meet the bold designs, every element of Droz's engraving represented in high relief. Near-flawless, this Crown commands the viewer's attention entirely; we sold its reciprocal in silver at our August 2018 ANA Platinum Night sale where it realized an impressive $46,800. We anticipate strong bidder attention for this gorgeous copper rarity. From the Butler Family Collection

HID99912102018