Victoria gold Proof 5 Pounds 1893 PR64 Ultra Cameo NGC, KM787, S-3872. An outstanding near-gem representative of Victoria's final Proof Set. 1893 heralded the introduction of Thomas Brock's 'Widow Head' depiction of the now 74-year-old Queen, the replacement for her previous Jubilee portrait. Where before Victoria was represented with her crown perched atop her head in a manner which she reportedly despised, Brock's new engraving shows her wearing her delicate diamond and sapphire coronet underneath the veil she adopted in mourning for her late husband Prince Albert. This portrait was Victoria's last, in use until her death in 1901. Of the 179 examples of this type certified by either NGC or PCGS, just 16 have been graded higher than the present specimen, rendering this in the top 10% of all graded specimens. With a wonderful Proof contrast, very few marks or hairlines and a gorgeous butter-gold color, this 5 Pounds is deserving of only the finest collections of British Proofs. From the Butler Family Collection

HID99912102018