A rare set of Victorian gold and silver coins has sold for tens of thousands of pounds at auction in London.
The scarce Queen Victoria ‘Old head’ specimen coin set featuring 10 gold and silver coins dating back to 1893 hammered at £46,300 – nearly four times the top estimate of £12,000.
They were among several historical coins to spark strong bidding in Hansons Richmond’s October sale. The gold coins in the sought-after set included a five pounds, two pounds, sovereign, London mint, and half-sovereign, London mint. Meanwhile the silver coins included a crown, edge LVI, half-crown, florin, shilling, sixpence and threepence. All were displayed in their original fitted red leather case.
Chris Kirkham, associate director of Hansons Richmond, said: “It was a wonderful find. It’s thought only 773 of these sets were produced in Victorian England more than 130 years ago. Their historical importance and value in a market where gold and silver prices are soaring proved to be an irresistible combination. Nevertheless, we never anticipated such a strong result and are delighted for our client.”
The same sale saw lot 196, a Royal Mint ‘The Golden Jubilee Gold Collection 1887-2002’ eight-coin gold proof set achieve £7,100. The limited-edition set, one of 100, featured a Victoria 1887 ‘Jubilee bust’ four-coin set of five pounds to half-sovereign, plus an Elizabeth II 2002 four-coin gold proof set in the same denominations.
Bids also flooded in for lot 179, an Elizabeth II 1980 four-coin gold proof sovereign set, PGS01, five pounds to half-sovereign, in capsules and Royal Mint case of issue with COA. Issued 10,000. £4,100.00
The same price, £4,100, was achieved for lot 183, an Elizabeth II 1990 four-coin gold proof sovereign set, PGS12, five pounds to half-sovereign, in capsules and Royal Mint case of issue with COA. Issued 1,721.
Lot 184, an Elizabeth II 1991 four coin gold proof sovereign set, PGS14, five pounds to half-sovereign, in capsules and Royal Mint case of issue with COA. Issued 1,336 also hammered at £4,100 as did 186, an Elizabeth II 1993 “The Pistrucci Centenary Collection” gold proof sovereign collection, PGS18, five pounds to half-sovereign together with silver Pistrucci medal, in capsules and Royal Mint case of issue. Issued 1,078.
The strong results rolled on with lot 188, an Elizabeth II 1995 four-coin gold proof sovereign set, PGS22, five pounds, two pounds Dove of Peace, sovereign and half-sovereign, in capsules and Royal Mint case of issue with COA. Issued 718, £4,100
Likewise, lot 189, an Elizabeth II 1996 four-coin gold proof sovereign set, PGS24, five pounds to half-sovereign, in capsules and Royal Mint case of issue with COA, issued 742, achieved £4,100.00
In addition, hammer prices of £4,000 were achieved for lot 185, an Elizabeth II 1992 four-coin gold proof sovereign set, and lot 187, an Elizabeth II 1994 four-coin gold proof sovereign set.
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