A scarce plain edge proof 1847 Queen Victoria Gothic Crown with an N over N variation, graded PF 61 by NGC.
Gothic Revival Masterpiece
Among the most beautiful coins ever minted, Gothic Crowns are scarce and stunning. They feature a remarkable crowned portrait of Queen Victoria, garbed in the trappings of an art movement that was all the rage in the 1840s. Known as Medieval Revival or Victorian Gothic, it's proponents - including the engraver of this coin, William Wyon - looked to Britain's past for inspiration.
The reverse of the 1847 Crown also evokes the Middle Ages. It bears a highly-detailed design composed of four crowned shields and a bloom of national flower emblems, encircled by a blackletter-style legend, redolent of medieval manuscripts. Wyon – then Chief Engraver to the Royal Mint – carved the dies for the reverse but the design is the work of Scottish artist, William Dyce.
It's a captivating piece, entirely distinct in style from UK coinage issued before and after.
Highly Sought After
However, it's not just the beauty of the Gothic Crown that has made it famous among collectors.
Only around 8,000 were ever struck and a range of variations contributed to immediate interest from collectors. Extant examples appear in silver and gold, most commonly with raised gothic lettering to the edge with the regnal year 'unidecimo'. A rarer variant, of which this is an example, bears a plain edge.
This coin also shows another variation, wherin the N in 'UNITA' to the reverse is struck over an inverted N.
Today, fans can enjoy remastered versions of this iconic design, issued as part of The Royal Mint's Great Engravers collection in gold as well as the original silver. You can find out more about these new Gothic Crowns on our blog which also dives deeper into the history of the 1847 Gothic Crown.
Graded PF 61 by NGC
The Gothic Crown only circulated in a limited manner so many examples are in excellent condition. This one is no exception.
This example has been graded by the Numismatic Guaranty Corporation as PF 61 (NGC Cert # 6029545-001).
A graded of PF 61 indicates a Proof coin with an average strike and no traces of wear but more marks and/or multiple large abrasions compared to coins with a higher grade (of which there are not many).
Buy and sell coins with confidence when you use The Britannia Coin Company of Royal Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire.
Buy Collectable Coins Online
We offer a wide range of collectable and investment coins in pre-owned and brand-new condition. As our name suggests, we focus on British coins (from hammered metal-detecting finds to modern Royal Mint issues) with a healthy selection of pieces from international mints too. All the coins we sell are 100% guaranteed authentic and, where relevant, are individually certified.
The Britannia Coin Company is part of the Gold-Traders group, founded in 2008. We're members of the British Numismatic Trade Association (BNTA) and pride ourselves on our honesty, integrity and expertise.
You're guaranteed a fully protected service when you buy online with The Britannia Coin Company. Our payment process is fully encrypted, preventing unauthorised access to your personal and financial details. Check your browser bar for the trusted padlock symbol: it's a mark of security.
Free And Insured UK Shipping
The price of all our coins includes free, fully insured UK shipping.
We post most orders within one to three working days of receipt. Please check individual product pages for accurate delivery estimates.
We deliver internationally. All payments are to be made in Pounds Sterling. We have a flat rate international shipping charge of just £15. See our dedicated delivery page for exceptions and further information.
Sell Your Coins With Confidence
Our experts want to make selling your coins a stress-free experience. They're ready to provide transparent valuations for your old coins: whether that's an individual piece or a large collection.
The team buys thousands of coins every month via our postal valuation service. It's a safe and easy way to sell coins from home with payment via bank transfer available the same day you confirm our price.
If you'd prefer to visit us in person, we've got secure, private meeting rooms in our offices at 29 High Street, Royal Wootton Bassett, SN4 7AE. We recommend calling ahead to book an appointment or check out one of our specialist drop-in valuation days.
Visit Our Wiltshire Showroom
If you're looking for a bargain then why not visit our showroom? We've got lots of great discount coins available in our cabinets at Old Bank Antiques.
From circulating £2s and 50ps to world coins, commemorative sets and new releases to ancients, we've got something for everyone. Make sure you save time to browse the glass, ceramics, jewellery, clocks and militaria on display in the rest of the shop, located at 143 High Street, Royal Wootton Bassett, SN4 7AB.
You won't find our full range on display in our showroom but if there is something particular you would like to examine then please do get in touch. We're pleased to arrange a private viewing appointment at a time that suits you.
Contact Our Coin Experts Now
Got questions about buying or selling coins? Our friendly team of numismatists (coin experts) are ready to assist with valuations, offers, postage enquiries, and more.
Call our enquiries line on 01793 205 007 (open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm).
Drop us a line at coins@britanniacoincompany.com.
Message us using our live chat feature (that's the green button, found at the bottom right of this page).
Visit us at 29 High Street, Royal Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire, SN4 7AB (we recommend checking our location map before you set out).
