George III Sixpences

JCMhouston · March 23, 2012 7:01AM

Just because we don't talk about them much, well ever really. But these are an interesting little coin with several different patterns available. I am still missing the 1790 in gold, but with the price the last one went for I may never own that one, also the 1786 pattern of which only 3-4 are known. I plan to add the rest of the late date proofs as they become available ( I only have the 1817 at present), and just the right 1818 currency.

Along with the shilling of 1787 these were the only silver coined for Geo. III until the great recoinage of 1816.

1787 ESC 1040 Pattern - Scarce

1787 Currency - available with and without seemee of hearts in shield

1788 Obverse die trial - Cf. ESC 1642

1790 Silver Pattern

1791 Copper Pattern - very similar design to above

Then you have a big break until the new coinage of 1816.

1816 Currency

1817 Currency

1817 Proof - R2 in ESC

1819 Currency

1820 Currency

All in all this is a fun group of coins to put together. The currency pieces are all pretty easy, the late dates are available in 65 for very reasonable prices, although the 1787's are available in 63 and 64, they are quite a bit tougher in 65, NGC has graded two no hearts in 65 and 3 with hearts in 65, and none higher. Of the patterns the 1790 in silver is by far the most readily available, the 1791 in silver a little less so, and the copper and gold patterns much tougher. According to ESC the late date proofs should not be all that tough to find, but they are. I've bought every one I saw over the past 3 years, and that comes up to one so far, NGC has graded only 3 for the series 1816-1820, all 1817's.

Feel free to add the PCGS pops if anyone has them.

TwoKopeiki · March 23, 2012 9:08AM

Those are way cool, Jeff!

Hard to pick a favorite, but for me it's a toss-up between the 1788 Obverse die trial and the 1790 silver pattern. The color on that one are amazing!