George III gold Proof Pattern 1/2 Guinea 1775 PR63 NGC, S-3733, W&R-129 (R3). By Richard Yeo. A most desirable offering, an extremely rare Proof of Record with captivating visual appeal. Many of the British gold coins produced towards the end of the 18th century leave much to be desired in their appearance; often the flan is too small for the dies, the strike is weak and the overall effect unimpressive, a deficit of eye appeal that ensures the present offering stands out all the more. This Proof shows an exacting strike to the center of the planchet, devices razor-sharp and slightly frosted, the fields behind slick mirrors textured with die polish lines. Very few contact marks or hairlines mar the surfaces, leading the viewer to suspect this piece may have been conservatively graded; a light bulge is present on the reverse, but this is part of the die rather than damage or a planchet flaw. We handled the identically graded Terner/Millennia specimen in our January 2014 NYINC sale which realized $12,000 hammer, and this present offering appears superior in quality and preservation. A seldom offered Proof rarity of unbeatable quality. From the Butler Family Collection

HID99912102018