2020 Gold Proof Double Sovereign George III Counterstamp from St Helena by The East India Company

[LawrenceChard]

Although I would prefer to see an original George III countermark on a Spanish King Charles III coin, this modern day re-imagination makes an attractive coin.

The Obverse:

Certificate:

I can't remember seeing any overstruck Spanish gold coins, only silver ones.

[Stuntman]

Thanks for posting this on the forum. 

As someone who likes older UK circulating silver coins and also 21st century UK precious metal coins - personally this kind of coin represents the worst of both worlds.  It holds very little appeal to me.  But I appreciate that others might find it much more appealing to them 🙂

If nothing else, it's interesting...

[Britannia47]

'An attractive coin'.....Hmmmmm!  Why not have a beauty (Ugly!) contest between Charles 111 and George 111 ?! 😂

 

[LawrenceChard]

1 hour ago, Britannia47 said:

'An attractive coin'.....Hmmmmm!  Why not have a beauty (Ugly!) contest between Charles 111 and George 111 ?! 😂

 

The famous "Bull Head portrait by master engraver Benedetto Pistrucci!

It certainly is striking and memorable. I assume it was also lifelike and realistic.

Interesting "7" in the date, and also small die crack near the "T in BRITT.

[Britannia47]

1 hour ago, LawrenceChard said:

The famous "Bull Head portrait by master engraver Benedetto Pistrucci!

It certainly is striking and memorable. I assume it was also lifelike and realistic.

Interesting "7" in the date, and also small die crack near the "T in BRITT.

I'm sure I read somewhere that Pistrucci was not allowed a life sitting with George 111, who since 1810 was living in cloud-cuckoo land, under the supervision of the Prince Regent. His 1816 cameos were criticised as being 'unflattering' Oh really! How can you make a silk purse out of a pigs ear!? However his 1817 sovereign obverse, and 1818 silver coinage seem less severe to me. I guess the bulbous eye look and thick neck was the reality? Of course in 1837 William Wyon had a live sitting with Victoria (age 18) for the 'Young Head' - she liked it, probably why it lasted for 50 years!......

The image is from an 1817 sixpence. Ta for your observations🙂

[Stuntman]

Regarding the George III obverses from the period of the Great Recoinage, here's a photo I took in 2017 at the Royal Mint Experience tour.  These are the original Pistrucci engravings in Jasper.

Personally I think the true 'Bull Head' is the 1816-17 Half Crown design - the biggest of those shown in the photo.