George V gold Proof Pattern 1/2 Crown 1927 PR62 NGC, 17.91gm, cf. S-4032, W&R-426 (R6). By Bertram MacKennal. An extraordinarily rare off-metal trial in gold for George's 'modified effigy' Halfcrown, one of just 4 known. Its trial status is confirmed by the non-uniform weights recorded in Wilson & Rasmussen, namely #1. 17.44 grams, #2. 17.79 grams, #3. 17.91 grams and #4. 19.89 grams. As we were able to weigh this piece prior to its certification, we can say with authority that this piece is #3 on Wilson & Rasmussen's list. Only a handful of George V trials in gold exist at all, and incredibly this is the fourth we have offered in the last 4 years; our 2015 auctions saw the first and third of three known 1924 gold Sixpence trials, the most recent of which realized $44,000. More notably, our August 2018 ANA sale included one of the other four known 1927 Halfcrowns in gold, a PR64 graded example which realized an impressive $72,000. Accordingly, we expect an exceptionally strong response to this present piece, which combines extreme rarity with absolutely beauty. Of especially rich gold color, the surfaces of this piece are sleek and almost matte, bearing none of the contact marks or handling one would expect from the grade. Indeed, this piece appears premium for its certification and commands wonderful eye-appeal; there is something unbeatably charming about a design such as this, intended for silver, and struck in gold. An extraordinary, museum-worthy specimen, one of just a few known and absolutely certain to enter a highest-tier collection of English patterns.

HID99912102018