barmaid's ruin

 14jun2021 

SPINK The “PATINA” Collection


Initiated in 1999, there was an idea to produce an official series of six legal tender Millennial coins for a Commonwealth country, like the Solomon Islands or Zambia, which would feature the six monarchs of the twentieth century; Victoria, Edward VII, George V, Edward VIII, George VI and Elizabeth II. British Sculptor Donald R. Golder completed the task of sculpting twenty Royal portraits, which were inspired by contemporary coinage models.

The envisaged six-coin series never came to fruition, but two of Golder’s royal portraits were eventually featured on the 2001 Zambia coinage set which commemorates the death of Victoria and the accession of Edward VII in 1901.

A parallel series of modern high quality unofficial “retrospective patterns” for Great Britain, Australia, Canada, Cyprus, Hong Kong, Ireland, Isle of Man, Jersey, New Zealand, South Africa, and Southern Rhodesia have been produced using all of Golder’s modern obverse portraits, coupled with modern reverses which are based on old designs. All the unofficial pieces offered in this part of the sale have therefore been struck in the years 2000-2001.

A.G. Wyon’s original model for the reverse of the 1910 Pattern crown, has been used to inspire some unofficial “pattern crowns” for George V and Edward VII. William Wyon’s “Three Graces” design, personifying Ireland, England and Scotland, has been the inspiration for a quantity of modern Victorian “patterns”.

There is a modern “wreath crown” of Edward VIII featuring a new version of Kruger Gray’s popular reverse motif and several modern “patterns” for Ireland, which emulate those of Reginald Huth.

1808 coins
although not part of the spink collection, these are:
each coin is dated 1808 and marks an important time in the history of britain, and her 'empire'. britain's abolition of the slave trade after 1807, the 'acquisition' of sierra leone in 1808, the rum rebellion in new south wales, the introduction of the 1808 token coinage in ireland were all significant events of the period.
new south wales reverse limited mintages - golden alloy, copper, bronzed copper, pewter, aluminium, nickel silver - 1000 pieces each. 0.925 sterling silver proof 150 pieces. 0.916 (22 carat) gold weight 46.75gr 3pieces.

1808 patina retro pattern crowns
this series was inspired by w j taylor who in the 1800s produced a number of 'retro' coins featuring the spectacular portait of king george 111 by c.h. kuchler. his patterns are rare. a century and a half later, a mint engraver has recreated the portrait for this 12 coin collection which has been produced in birmingham, close to the site of matthew boulton's original soho mint.