1879 "3 GRACES" Pattern Proof set

laurentyvan

Could anyone tell me something about these-are they a modern copy?Pattern Proof Set They are tempting if real...

historygeek

Yes, they are a modern copy or if you want to be kind "restrikes" of patterns.

laurentyvan

Then where are the effing disclaimers?

historygeek

Well, one of the warning signs is this statement:

COMES WITH CERTIFICATE AS WELL.

cosmicdebris

They are Fantasy pieces not restrikes. They are actually high quality and quite nice and I have a few of them myself.


However, this seller's should have started this auction with a much lower starting bid. I got (3) different coppers peices for only $30.00 in one auction awhile back from a different seller.

trozau

As Bill said, they are modern struck 1879 dated fantasy crown patterns based on the original design by William Wyon. The engraver who interpreted the original design is Donald R Golder. Here is the original 1817 UK crown pattern by William Wyon in gold. As you can see, there are slight differences from the modern interpretation. BTW, only 3 known extant of the original 3 Graces crown pattern.

elverno

The Three Graces were a fairly common theme in the First Empire / Regency period. Of course the French didn't feel obligated to weigh the poor women down with clothing!



The modern fantasy is a nice interpretation but it carries on the conversation that's been happening over several threads about restrikes, fantasies and accurate descriptions.

laurentyvan

I'm sorry to be so flip, but I never appreciated flat spots before.

elverno

What can I say, I almost wish I put it there...

MacCrimmon

Hey, a computer a-$$. Didn't know Nappy had a desktop!

lordmarcovan

Yep- fantasies, but nice fantasies, to be sure.

Stork

I prefer the naked guy on the horse fantasy myself

trozau

Hey Vern, looks like the start of a "Menage A Trois" to me! Is the writing in Greek letters?

wybrit

Looks like that one got a mean ol' spankin' to me. Ouch!

elverno

Supposed to be Greek but I heard once that some of this series had French inscriptions using Greek letters. Not sure if that's true...

Askari

Very nice Golder fantasies, but like Bill said, not $100 nice. He ought to at least have replace Wyon's name with his and designated it d'apres Wyon, which is the proper way to note it.

Lloyd

I have 12 different sets bought to sell before Xmas but I'm thinking of keeping them. One set has a mintage of 125. Victoria, Ed 7, Ed 7 Irish, Geo 5, Ed 8 and most are fantasy 4 shillings pieces, all in case with a certificate. They aren't copies because they aren't trying to copy anything. As Bill said they are of tremendous quality.

The 1879 3 Graces set has a mintage of 790.

Here is the description off the certificate.

THE PATINA RETROSPECTIVE PATTERN COLLECTION
"In 1999 a legal tender coin series was proposed which would have carried the portraits of Queen Victoria, Edward VII, George V, Edward VIII, George VI and Elizabeth II, created by the British sculptor Donald R. Golder.

Although the envisaged series was never minted the high quality portraits have now been utilized on this magnificent low mintage, collection of 'what if' British and British Colonial pattern coins, various crowns, double florins, dollars and other denominations which could have existed but which have always remained gaps in the numismatic annals.

This set of three pattern coins has been struck in sterling .925 silver, copper and a golden alloy. All pieces have been minted to prooflike standards with frosted detail and mirror fields. The mintage of each collection is strictly limited to less than 1,000 sets and all dies have now been rendered unusable."

L

SYRACUSIAN

The legend in Vern's medal is Greek and reads : "REIGN OUR BELOVED"

edit : or in the order that it's written "OUR BELOVED (,) REIGN" but it doesn't make much sense or does it?

elverno

It might make sense Syracusian, here's the other side with Napoleon's sister Pauline:



She was the only one of his sisters that didn't betray him on one level or another.