Victoria silver "Gothic" Crown Obverse Uniface Trial ND (1847) MS65 NGC, L&S-67 (silver variant), 33mm. 22.24gm. Plain edge. Presumed unique; an outstanding uniface trial for the Gothic Crown, struck in silver. Unlisted in Linecar & Stone, the only comparable is a "Trial of Puncheon" in white metal sold at the Lingford sale (1950, lot 587) described as "probably unique". The present piece, far be it from white metal, is rather enigmatically struck in .9614 fine silver, a purity slightly above Britannia silver as opposed to Sterling silver, the usual standard for British silver coinage. Whilst the holder states that this piece dates from 1846-47, the cataloger believes it to be more likely an 1847 piece as Victoria's bodice is decorated in the manner of the 1847 Crowns whilst the 1846 patterns show her with plain drapery. Either way, the Queen's portrait is undeniably impressive, engraved in a finer style and in higher relief than the final portrait employed on the Gothic crowns; the toning surrounding Victoria's portrait is exceptional, an initial golden halo met by a flood of deep magenta of high reflectivity. Not just an extreme rarity, but a beauty too, and a piece which deserves a place in the most elite collection of British patterns.

HID99912102018