1869 was a stellar year for British coins with rarities in some series, and in particular the well-known Penny which deservedly brings interest nowadays when it comes up to auction in the mid- or better grade uncirculated grades. Other denominations are actually scarcer that many probably realize in the MS 63 range and above including the halfpenny, the florin and even the shilling. However in top grades of gem or better (MS 65) the 1869 sixpence with its rather droll reverse design is extremely scarce. It should be noted that the population in 65 at PCGS is TWO with ZERO graded as such at NGC. The famous (for sixpences that is) Alfred Bole Sale at DNW in 2010 had two currency 6 pence and one proof - the latter unknown other than this sale. There was also a palladium Graham pattern. Here is the finer of the currency 6d (sixpences) from that sale & I apologise for the poor photo quality. Of note I will post pictures one the True View are available from PCGS:
Mintmaster Graham struck a trial of sorts in, I think they called it Hydrogenium (sp?), that was a trial obverse with an awkward head of Vicky that was by recall dateless but attributed to 1869. It is fairly scarce but not as rare IMO as some would have it.
Who was the obverse by? And it is in any of the books? I don't see anything in British Silver Coins by Davies.
Yikes I don't know but looks like one of those by Wiener or similar. Does not look like a Wyon or other better engraver.
The 1869 is a rare coin but not in the same league as the 1869 penny. The die number on this 6d is No. 9, but I don't know if that makes it rarer or not. The engraver of the obverse is of course William Wyon while the reverse was engraved by Jean Baptiste Merlen
With all due respect the 1869 penny is rare in higher MS 64-65 grades but readily matched in rarity by the sixpence in similar grades as a quick peruse of the TPG pops will show, and as personal experience will support. The 1/2 pence is nearly as scarce in such grades. While I agree with the ID of engraver for the ordinary 6 pence, the pattern as will be recalled firstly has nought for a reverse design save the lettering and the obverse crudely done and of lesser quality than one might expect from a Wyon. I’m on vacation but can check on return home.
Well, it may be Wyon after all. In better photographs the Victoria bust appears similar to half sovereigns & am inclined to think it is after all an half sovereign pattern and not a sixpence...
Which lot was it in the Bole collection? I went to https://www.dnw.co.uk/auction-archive/special-collections/results.php?specialcollection_id=373 but the auction lots don't seem to be in order of date.
Mmm, the nicer of the two currency but not the proof - which I wish I had gotten. I didn't purchase at Bole directly so got this through the buyer. I will look and see what I can find as far as lot number though. I think it the die #8 from lot 1798 [29 Sept. 2010] as this was a two coin lot. I must say I will have to in hand check the die number to confirm and am on vacation. BTW the Bole collection was presented in FIVE parts.
Okay thanks - 1798 has no picture on the website but https://www.dnw.co.uk/auction-archi...t.php?specialcollection_id=373&lot_uid=189981 looks like it (lot 1800).
Ah yes, that would be the palladium (IMHO) version that may be more properly a type of half sov pattern
