Morbiducci Prova's: Irish Numismatic History

Boosibri

In the recent DNW sale there were two previously unknown "Morbiducci Prova" Irish patterns (prova's) in copper which carried a provenance from the medalist family who struck the coins for Publio Morbiducci the designer. I was the direct under bidder on these pieces unfortunately.





In 1927 the newly formed Irish Republic wanted to create their national coinage and commissioned a committee, led by poet W.B Yeats to hold a competition and recommend the design to be featured. The brief to the designers was to feature the animals of the Irish Republic, which included the horse, salmon, bull, Irish wolfhound, rabbit and wood pigeon.



There were a handful of competitors, most notably Publio Morbiducci, an Italian sculptor, and Percy Metcalfe and Englishman. In an effort to sway the committee, Morbiducci produced patterns in various metals of his designs. While Morbiducci's designs were arguably superior to those of the other competitors, to paraphrase Yeats, the designs were "too Italian" and the committee ultimately favored Metcalfe's more stoic designs to the emotional and animated designs of Morbiducci.



The only reference for the patterns was published in 1976 in the Spinks Numismatic Circular which gave the history of the pieces and a history of the handful of known specimens. Today, only a few exist with perhaps a few more than originally speculated. Regardless, every piece is rare with less than a dozen known in the most prolific issues.



Posted below is the 1976 article for your enjoyment.

brg5658

Awesome pattern, thanks for posting this.



AS the "direct underbidder" one never knows how high the next bidder was willing to go with their bid.



This pattern selling for GBP 11,000 hammer is pretty steep IMO. Who knows, you may have been the direct underbidder right on up to GBP 20,000.

Boosibri

It was steep but consider two exist with this being the finest by far. Last one in bronze appeared in 1970, 12 years before I was born. Others in silver are more frequently encountered, every 5-10 years.



If your 60 and working in a set, not a bad deal.

brg5658

Originally posted by: Boosibri

It was steep but consider two exist with this being the finest by far. Last one in bronze appeared in 1970, 12 years before I was born. Others in silver are more frequently encountered, every 5-10 years.



If your 60 and working in a set, not a bad deal.

As we both know though, no one knows how high the winner was willing to go except the winner.



Once something gets to the "nearly unique" level, I'm perfectly happy looking at pictures online. Ownership doesn't add that much enjoyment for me when the opportunity cost of having it is several (dozen) other coins. To each his/her own. Sometimes being the underbidder is a blessing in disguise.

Boosibri

Agree.... Hopefully people appreciate learning about the patterns and their history from this post. Beautiful coins!

Jackthecat1

Beautiful patterns and a fascinating history lesson.

PatAR

A beautiful pattern! I can almost hear the harp sing and expect the horse to jump from the coin at any moment. Thank you for posting the great history as well.

lordmarcovan

While I actually prefer the rendition of the harp as adopted on the later coinage, these are indeed impressive and awesome. And that horse is great.

coinkat

Great design- the horse is great. This is one of those times when one can ask about the wisdom in connection with what was ultimately selected...

garrynot

Sorry you missed out. I'm sure you know more about these than the winner(s) do.

Boosibri

The winner just completed his full set of patterns in bronze. Huge accomplishment.

291fifth

The horse on the pattern leaves me thinking: Duce, Duce, Duce! Yeats was right.

Swampboy

Originally posted by: 291fifth

The horse on the pattern leaves me thinking: Duce, Duce, Duce! Yeats was right.

Beautiful designs.

Weiss

Those pieces are just plain hardcore. Noble attempt, boosibri.