An exceedingly rare proof of his £5 coin from 1820 took top honours at Künker’s (25% buyer’s premium) Berlin sale on February 1.
As fate would have it, George III died on January 29, 1820. According to several of the officials involved, the Mint worked day and night to produce proof coins to present to the king before he died. The front of the coin showed a portrait of the monarch wearing a laurel wreath, the reverse St George and the Dragon.
Benedetto Pistrucci £5 proof coin from 1820, sold for €460,000 (£393,160) at Künker.
Two proofs of the £5 were created: one with raised lettering on the side, the other with a smooth side. The latter was struck just twice and one of these examples came under the hammer in Berlin with a guide of €150,000.
Bidding was intense and was concluded only when the unnamed European buyer put up a substantial €460,000 (£393,160).
