The opportunity to consign to the Stack’s Bowers Galleries January 2019 New York International Showcase Auction is coming to a close, so be sure to contact one of our consignment directors to be a part of this outstanding auction event. This sale is sure to offer some exceptional collector pieces as well as substantial rarities. Here we highlight a Proof Sovereign of Queen Victoria, dated 1893 and a gem quality piece.
Queen Victoria is the second longest reigning British monarch in history, only recently surpassed by her great-great-granddaughter (and current monarch), Queen Elizabeth II. Victoria’s reign saw the addition of India to the British Empire after the British East India Company dissolved, and she took the title "Empress of India" in 1876. Victoria would have nine children, who married into various royal and noble families across Europe, earning Victoria the nickname "the Grandmother of Europe."
The obverse displays the "Old Head" design as engraved by the masterful Thomas Brock, to accurately reflect the septuagenarian. She appears crowned and veiled, reflecting her perpetual state of mourning after the death of her husband, Prince Albert, in 1861. Her legends around state: "Victoria, by the Grace of God, of Britain, Queen, Defender of the Faith, Empress of India." The reverse depicts St. George and the Dragon, as engraved by Benedetto Pistrucci, with his initials and the date (1893) just below. With a mintage of just 773 examples this piece is certainly scarce. The present specimen offers immaculate quality for the issue, with extreme reflectivity in the fields and stark, flawless frost over the raised portions of the design. This is an exciting offering for collectors of Sovereigns who place a special emphasis on quality.
We are currently accepting consignments of world and ancient coins and world paper money for our January 2019 New York International Auction as well as the February 2019 Collectors Choice Online Auction. We are also accepting consignments of Chinese and other Asian coins and currency for our March 2019 Hong Kong Showcase Auction. Time is running short, so if you are interested in consigning your coins and paper currency (whether a whole collection or a single rarity) contact one of our consignment directors.
