Description
Victoria (1837-1901), proof crown, 1847, plain edge, struck en médaille, N over inverted N in UNITA, ‘Gothic’ bust left, rev. crowned, cruciform shields, (S.3883; ESC.291B; Bull 2578). As struck, exquisite purple, blue, olive peripheral toning, minutest of hairlines. A superb specimen with great eye appeal. The ‘Gothic’ Crown is often described as the most beautiful English silver coin ever made, and was only struck in the 2 years 1847 and 1853. Originally, it was probably made in small numbers, in order to gauge the public’s reaction, before general production of the ‘Gothic’ florin (made for circulation in the period 1851-1887) began. With its iconic design the Gothic should have a place in any quality British coin collection. This plain edge proof Gothic is considerably rarer than the more commonly encountered lettered edge variety.
