A coin dubbed “the most beautiful ever struck” is expected to make £2,000 to £3,000 at auction this week <Feb 19>.
Known among collectors as a Gothic Crown, the rare coin has captivated collectors for generations.
It was issued in 1847 to celebrate Queen Victoria’s 10th year on the throne and designed by William Wyon, the chief engraver at the Royal Mint – known to be Victoria’s favourite coin maker.
Hansons Auctioneers’ coins expert Will Hayward said: “We don’t always associate Queen Victoria with youthful beauty. She is more often portrayed as the dour old widow dressed in black towards the end of her reign. But in 1847, she was aged just 28 and when she saw the resulting coin was said to be ‘delighted’ by her portrayal.”
Wyon’s design was heavily inspired by the fashion of the day for Gothic revivalism with all its medieval-style embellishments.
One of the most notable examples was the Houses of Parliament. After it was destroyed by a fire in 1834, in 1840 work started on replacing the original palace with a faux-medieval edifice of towers, gargoyles and grotesques.
The influence of the all-pervasive movement can be clearly seen on the coin with Wyon portraying the young queen with a gothic-style coronet, along with medieval-inspired lettering and ornamentation.
Will continued: “We see the queen with a medieval hairstyle of a long plait framing her ear, while her dress’s bodice and lacework make her look more like someone from a painting by Millais or Dante Gabriel Rossetti, than a reigning queen. In short, the gothic crown coin isn’t just currency — it’s a miniature work of art.
“The star quality it evokes is similar to the glamorous photographs of the young Elizabeth II giving her a touch of the Hollywood film star.”
Only 8,000 where minted making them highly sought after by collectors worldwide with some willing to pay thousands for a nice example.
The reverse was engraved by Wyon but designed by William Dyce, it features four crowned shields, forming a cross around the arms of the Order of the Garter.
Two of the shields feature the arms of England: three lions passant. The other two are emblazoned with a lion rampant for Scotland, and harp for Ireland. In the angles are roses, a shamrock and a thistle.
This is a Latin inscription written in ornate Gothic (Blackletter) script, which translates to May God guard these United Kingdoms, in the Year of Our Lord.
In 2023 Heritage Auctions in America sold an 1847 gothic crown for $276,000 (£200,000) beating the then record of $186,000 (£140,000) a year before.
It will be offered for sale in our coins and banknotes auction on February 19 with an estimate of £2,000 to £3,000.
Auction Details
Auction: The Hansons Historica, Coins, Banknotes & Tokens Auction
Auction date: 19th February 2026 | 10am
Location: Hansons’ Derbyshire Saleroom
Auction contact: [email protected]
Catalogue/bidding: www.hansonslive.co.uk | www.the-saleroom.com
