MS64 | George III (1760-1820), silver Crown, 1820 LX, laureate head right, PISTRUCCI below truncation, date below, Latin legend and toothed border surrounding, GEORGIUS III D: G: BRITANNIARUM REX F: D:, rev. St. George and dragon right, PISTRUCCI in exergue, Order of the Garter motto in French surrounding, .HONI . SOIT. QUI. MAL . Y. PENSE., edge inscribed in raised letters of upright orientation to obverse, DECUS ET TUTAMEN* ANNO REGNI LX* (Bull 2016; Davies 11; ESC 219; C&R 977; S.3787). Toned, graded by NGC as MS64.

NGC Certification 5878210-002.

We note at the time of writing in February 2021 that NGC have graded a total of 103 pieces of this type of crown of which only nine are graded finer. For comparison PCGS have graded 87 pieces of which only five are finer.

Perhaps the favourite coin of William Wellesley Pole - the Master of the Mint at this time, and older brother of the Duke of Wellington - the silver Crowns engraved by Italian engraver Benedetto Pistrucci were released with a glowing sense of pride. Indeed, Pole even ordered that each piece was wrapped in tissue paper before being sent out to the banks for circulation. In recognition of his numismatic art, Pole had made the fiery Italian engraver Pistrucci the Chief Engraver in all but name, as an Italian could not hold such an office in the Royal Mint officially at that time. Pistrucci’s name features prominently in full on both sides of the coin.

The Latin legend translate as on the obverse "George the Third, by the grace of God, King of the Britons, Defender of the Faith" and the French on the reverse, "Evil to him who evil thinks," additionally on the edge "An ornament and a safeguard, in the 58th year of the reign".

In deference to the NGC grade assigned this coin, this example shows no wear to the high points of the design at all. The first place these coins typically wear is on the brow of the helmet of St. George on the reverse. This piece seems to be perfect in this aspect as is all the other fine details of the design. The cataloguer has never seen a more perfectly rendered head and face of St. George on horseback.

Estimate: £1,500 - £2,000