Pre-Long Beach Auction #85

Great Britain. Matte Proof Crown, 1927. S.4036; ESC-367A (Rarity-7); KM-836. George V. Obverse portrait of King George V facing left, surrounded by legend: GEORGIVS V DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX. The designer's initials BM (Bertram McKennal) appear on the truncation. Reverse, large crown and date within ornate wreath. Designer's initial KG (Kruger Gray) appear at bottom of design. Mint state and of the highest rarity. NGC graded Matte Proof 67. The reference work 'English Proof And Pattern Crown Size Pieces 1658-1960' by Linecar & Stone (1968) refers (p106, no.27) to this or a similar coin as 'Obverse and reverse from the same dies as the regular proof 1927 Crown, but with a matte surface,' and listed in the book is the appearance of a set of 1927 silver pieces in Glendining's sale, 4 April 1966, lot 167, which sold for 125. Described thus: 'Matte proof set of 1927 coins 5 shillings to threepence in card case. Very rare as matte proofs, practically mint state.'This was the first British crown issued since 1902 - a quarter century had passed since the production of a crown to celebrate the coronation of Edward VII. There was much interest at the time in 'Mr George (Kruger) Gray's new designs, and in The Times an eager journalist noted:'No Crowns have been struck since 1902, and many had feared that the series of these splendid coins had come to an end, as Mr A.G. Wyon's Crown of 1910 for King George V, showing a spirited design of St George in a rather awkward attitude killing a quite convincing dragon was not an official issue. The rose, thistle and shamrock which are to appear on the new Crown, in a wreath which appears rather too heavy for the design, have been absent from our coinage since the last year of Queen Victoria.'It seems that a tiny number of examples of the new silver coins were made with a matte surface for photographic purposes. Comes with original British newspaper article. Estimated Value $7,500-UP