William Wyon’s Masterpiece: The Gothic Crown

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PCGS_SocialMedia
PCGS_SocialMedia Posts: 327 ✭✭✭✭✭
in World & Ancient Coins Forum

What comes to your mind if someone were to ask you, “What is the most beautiful coin you have ever seen?” Well, that’s a question that depends on whom you are asking this question of and what they collect. Though the Gothic Crown will be at the top of the list or even number one for many. William Wyon who came from a great lineage of die sinkers and master engravers. William studied under his father Peter at the age of 14. He began engraving at the Royal Mint at about 21 years of age in 1816, became the head engraver in 1828, and created one masterpiece after another. At the age of 51, his crowning achievement was engraved: the Gothic Crown.

Full article: https://www.pcgs.com/news/the-gothic-crown

Comments

  • jt88
    jt88 Posts: 3,564 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Wow, very nice looking coin.

  • bronzemat
    bronzemat Posts: 2,700 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Masterpiece indeed!

  • ajaan
    ajaan Posts: 18,004 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Absolutely stunning. Gothic Crown is one of my dream coins.


    DPOTD-3
    'Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery'

    CU #3245 B.N.A. #428


    Don
  • bidask
    bidask Posts: 14,057 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    No doubt a beautiful coin but I think they are certainly not rare coins given how many come to market ( auctions) and often multiple lots in one auction.

    I manage money. I earn money. I save money .
    I give away money. I collect money.
    I don’t love money . I do love the Lord God.




  • jdmern
    jdmern Posts: 327 ✭✭✭
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    I think that this type and the Una and the Lion are among the most beautiful aesthetically of all of the British types

    Justin Meunier

    Boardwalk Numismatics

  • WCC
    WCC Posts: 3,322 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Never been that big of a fan of this design.

    Una and the Lion blows this design away. So does the "Three Graces" reverse on a few patterns.

    I also prefer the "Young Head" portrait on the earlier dated Victoria coinage.

  • jt88
    jt88 Posts: 3,564 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I think Queen's Beast Completer design is also great. Coins with animal always looks good especially with 10 animals.

  • RSP
    RSP Posts: 81 ✭✭✭
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    Three Graces hands down best design

  • 7Jaguars
    7Jaguars Posts: 8,019 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Although IMHO not a real world option unless you get one of the Royal Mint's "tribute" versions.... I like CK's example above.

    Love that Milled British (1830-1960)
    Well, just Love coins, period.
  • Exbrit
    Exbrit Posts: 1,515 ✭✭✭✭
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    Ditto

  • ELuis
    ELuis Posts: 1,164 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @coinkat said:

    For those that like the design, the florin is an option. This is the so called Godless Florin which is a one year issue.

    Know zero of this Gothic Type, have seen some similar to the one on the first post, they do not have the year on them, only a die number, in example, two below a 44 and 3:

    Beautiful coins for sure, one day I will buy at least one.

  • coinkat
    coinkat Posts: 24,542 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    There were die numbers used on the Florin as well the Shilling. Die numbers on the Florin were used from approximately 1864-1879 and I think that is the same time frame for the Shilling. I think a Gothic Florin set would be quite the undertaking- there are some tough dates

    Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.

  • wybrit
    wybrit Posts: 6,999 ✭✭✭
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    NB Sixpences have die numbers also. :)

    Former owner, Cambridge Gate collection.
  • BillJones
    BillJones Posts: 35,933 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Yes, the Goth Crowns are really scarce and expensive. I've read that many of them were missed up because owers cleaned them with abrasives to remove tarnish. The OP coin is the best I have even seen.

    I also went the floren route to get an example of that Queen Victoria image.


    Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
  • asheland
    asheland Posts: 24,545 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    A beautiful design, indeed!
    The original coin is indeed a stunner.

    My YouTube Channel

  • lordmarcovan
    lordmarcovan Posts: 45,335 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I had to settle for the florin, and not even a Mint State example. But I’m happy to have it.

    Collector since 1976. On the CU forums here since 2001.

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