My 10 Best for 2021 - Moderns (Ancients have already been done)

I guess we're going a bit early with this heading this year but what the heck......before everyone gets busy with family and holidays, here are my ten. I've tried to mix them up a bit and have gold and silver, older issues and contemporary issues. Unfortunately, I included 2 of my best moderns in my Ancients post but I'll try to sneak them in here as well. All text in Italics is the auctioneers description which has been toned down by me.

1. George V. AR Crown. 1934. Fourth coinage. 'Wreath' type. ESC 374; SCBC 4036. Well struck with a proof-like quality. Lightly toned with much underlying brilliance. Very rare. In NGC encapsulation 2118473-007, graded MS 64+.

From the Mildenhall Collection. Purchased Spink, January 2001

Tied for second highest graded by NGC. Only one specimen graded higher

Finally managed to upgrade my profile Avatar coin hence it's No.1 rating




2. UNITED KINGDOM. ALDERNEY. Elizabeth II, 1952-.
Gold 20 pounds, 2019. Hattons of London.
Crowned portrait of Queen Elizabeth II facing right; ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRA · REGINA · ALDERNEY C.I. 2019. / Portrait of Queen Victoria as Una beside lion in side-profile; DIRIGE DEUS GRESSUS MEOS. TWENTY POUNDS. VR. Edge milled.
Comes with the original box as issued by the Mint and the certificate of authenticity (COA).

Mintage: 63
Diameter: 45 mm
Weight: 71.3 g. (AGW=2.2903 oz.)
Composition: 999.0/1000 Gold.

These issues are rapidly becoming modern classics.



3. George III gold Sovereign 1818 MS62+ NGC, KM674, S-3785. Visually striking and very nearly choice from a technical standpoint, a honey-amber tone gracing the obverse surfaces and concentrating along the outer reverse border to create a superb framing effect. The surfaces display an abundance of glistening golden luster, which in combination with the aforementioned feature lends an immediate impression of commendable Mint State quality.

I liked the toning on this one. The descending colon variety is much more rare than the ascending colon type.



4. Victoria gold "Shield" Sovereign 1874 AU50 NGC, KM736.2, S-3853B, Marsh-58 (R4). Die #32. The last date for the London shield and die number type. A desirable selection of this scarce issue exhibiting even circulation wear to Victoria's portrait, contrasting against shimmering brilliance retained in the outer registers.

The last 'Shield' type issued by London Mint.






5. George III gold Guinea 1798/7 MS63 PCGS, KM609, S-3729. Overdate variety with clear remnants of the digit "7" within the final digit "8" of the date. Choice, with sharp device definition and only small wisps of handling to cap the assigned grade.

Mint State overdate guinea.





5 more to follow

 

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6. HANOVER. George III. 1760-1820. AV Half Sovereign (19mm, 4.01 g, 6h). New coinage. London mint. Dated 1817. Laureate head right / Crowned coat-of-arms. Marsh 400; SCBC 3786. Attractively toned with underlying luster. In NGC encapsulation 5960220-002, graded MS 64.

From the Mildenhall Collection, purchased from Spink, June 1983.





7. William & Mary. AR Crown. 1691. I over E in GVLIELMVS. TERTIO. Bull 821; ESC 82; SCBC 3433. A few light adjustment marks. Toned. In NGC encapsulation 2118473-024, graded AU 50.

From the Mildenhall Collection. Ex Glendinings (28 September 1966), lot 100.




8. UNITED KINGDOM. Elizabeth II, 1952-.
Silver 10 pounds, 2020. Royal Mint. Proof.
The second issue from the Great Engravers series, following the popular 2019 release of William Wyon's Una and the Lion.
Fifth portrait of Queen Elizabeth II facing right; ELIZABETH II · D · G REG · F · D · 10 POUNDS · 2020 · Design by Jody Clark. / Three standing female figures in classical dress, representing Ireland, England, and Scotland. A harp, a Union Flag shield, and a thistle lie at the feet of the respective personification. Artist signature to the left and quiver and palm frond in exergue; FOEDUS INVIOLABILE. Original design by William Wyon. Edge Milled.
Comes with the original box as issued by the Mint and the certificate of authenticity (COA).


NGC Census in this grade: 10, equal-finest graded.
Total NGC Census: 11
Mintage: 175.
Diameter: 65 mm.
Weight: 312.59 g. (ASW=10 oz.)
Composition: 999.0/1000 Silver.

Purchased raw, graded at PF70UC









9. UNA AND THE LION – 2019 1 Kilo Pure Silver Matt Proof Coin – Alderney

The Una and the Lion 100 Pounds coin is widely considered to be one of the most beautiful British coins ever minted! It was designed by William Wyon in 1839, to celebrate the beginning of Queen Victoria’s reign. Now it has been reproduced in stunning detail: This new matt proof 1 kilo 999 silver coin was carefully digitally remodelled from the original reverse design to ensure the accuracy of Wyon’s work.

The obverse depicts Queen Victoria as Lady Una, and the lion, her guardian, represents England. The reverse presents her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

SPECIFICATIONS

Special: Matt Proof Finish
Mintage: 99
Material: 99.99% pure silver
Finish: Prooflike
Weight: 1 Kilo
Diameter: 99mm

Photos are not of the original coin in an NGC Slab. Purchased raw, graded at PF70 Matte






10. UNITED KINGDOM. Elizabeth II, 1952-.
Gold 2 pounds, 1994. Royal Mint. Proof Mule with Double Sovereign obverse.
Struck to commemorate the Tercentenary (300th anniversary) of the Bank of England. A small, unknown amount of coins were struck in error, using the double sovereign obverse design. Upon realising the error, the Royal Mint sent letters to all possible recipients of the requesting any error coins to be sent back. Some were kept by the owners, perhaps realising this error coin would one day be a very sought-after rarity.
Third crowned bust of Elizabeth II facing right without denomination below; ELIZABETH II DEI · GRATIA · REGINA · F · D. Design by Raphael Maklouf. / The Corporate Seal of the Bank of England featuring Seated Britannia, anniversary dates 1694 and 1994 on either side, crowned monogram of William and Mary above, Bank of England in hand-written font below. Design by Leslie Durbin. Edge milled and inscribed (incuse lettering); SIC VOS NON VOBIS.
In secure plastic holder, graded PCGS PR69 DCAM, certification number 41455265.

PCGS population in this grade: 2
PCGS population in higher grade: 3
Reference: S-K4A (was 4314), KM-1012
Mintage: 300.
Diameter: 28.4 mm
Weight: 15.9761 g. (AGW=0.4711 oz.)
Composition: 917/1000 Gold.

Because it is a mule....

 

Thanks @lordmarcovan. Unfortunately I had already listed my Venice 12 Zs and 1847 Crown in the Ancients forum so I couldn't list them again



or the 2 kilo 2019 Una in PF70UC. This one became an instant classic with a small mintage of just 40.

 

Super acquisitions, @1934 Wreath Crown. Just one of these most of us would be proud to own.

My personal favorite is the William and Mary Crown. What a fantastic coin!

 

Fabulous coins Najib!!!!!
That "Una and the Lion" is breathtaking/ a modern classic
The British have been striking a more classical type of coinage/ the only Country in the World to do this. Hence, many of their "modern" proof sets/ coins are becoming pricey and desirable. Here in Canada, the Ottawa mint has gone the other way, and the coins are boring and never will go up in value.
John

 

Thank you @Robidoux Pass. I made a conscious decision to try and acquire more unusual coins from now on, over-dates, over-strikes, countermarked, mule issues etc. I've been moderately successful so far.

 

Thanks John, the Royal Mint have certainly done a great job of resurrecting the old classics which has proved profitable for them and the collector who cannot afford the original issue. The silver 2 oz. Una in PF70, mintage of 3,000, is now exchanging hands at $8,000 plus. Issue price was around $500 if I remember correctly.

I hear what you say about German and Canadian coins being unimaginative and plain. By contrast, I think the 2022 Platinum Jubilee sovereign, with the Royal Coat of Arms reverse, is quite a striking piece. This image is taken from a website but I was lucky to get my hands on a couple of them .