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 the Dragon right, PISTRUCCI in exergue, Order of the Garter motto in French and toothed border surrounding, HONI . SOIT . QUI . MAL . Y . PENSE., edge inscribed in raised letters and dated, DECUS ET TUTAMEN. ANNO REGNI LX., 28.30g (Bull 2016; ESC 219; S.3787). Lightly but attractively toned, some surface marks and nicks on neck and cheek, graded by CGS UK as AU78.

CGS UK Certification 5961-CR.G3.1820.01

Calendar year mintage 448,200.

The Latin legend translates on the obverse as "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 60th year of the reign".

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.

Provenance:
Ex London Coins, direct sale, 25th May 2009.

Estimate: £ 300 - 400