Mark Rasmussen, formerly of Spink and a one-time BNTA chairman, is based in Surrey and deals mainly in coins of the British Isles and Ireland from the Celtic era to the 20th century. He will bring this “beautifully toned, exceedingly rare” George IV (1820-30) pattern half crown struck in 1824, pictured above.
This celebrated coin was engraved by William Wyon (who would become the Royal Mint’s chief engraver from 1828 until his death in 1851) after the bust of the king by Sir Francis Chantrey, the leading portrait sculptor of the Regency period. In near mint condition, the coin has a price tag of £12,500.