Numismatists from the around the world gathered at Spink in London yesterday to bid on one of the most exciting offerings of coins and medals to come on the market for some time. When the hammer dropped on the 753rd and final lot, the sale had realized a staggering total of £1,914,747. Several items sold for as much as twenty times their estimates in the end.

English coins and Russian medals stole the show with fantastic prices achieved. The highlight of the sale was the Charles II ‘Petition’ Crown by Thomas Simon which sold for an astounding £207,100. Spink last sold a ‘Petition’ Crown in May 2003 which realized £138,000. This numismatic masterpiece is the creation of the great engraver, Thomas Simon. Following the Restoration of the Monarchy Charles II ordered trials for a milled coinage from the Royal Mint. Simon, aggrieved that he had not been given the commission, was determined to win the King over and be chosen as the official designer with his clever concepts.

Thomas Simon engraved the dies for this Crown featuring a bust of Charles II on the obverse with “Simon” engraved just below the King’s clothed neckline. The “Petition” is two hundred raised letters in two lines around the coin’s rim which is only 35mm in depth and reads:

THOMAS SIMON MOST HVMBLY PRAYS YOVR MAJESTY TO COMPARE THIS HIS TRYALL PIECE WITH THE DVTCH AND IF MORE TRVLY DRAWN & EMBOSS’D MORE GRACE; FVLLY ORDER’D AND MORE ACCURATELY ENGRAVEN TO RELIEVE HIM

The “Petition” Crown was presented at the King’s court, an incident recorded by Samuel Pepys in his diary. Simon’s engraving was greatly admired and won him a position at the Royal Mint as one of the Chief Engravers. Before his death in 1665, he worked on numerous new dies including the Great Seal.

Top Ten Lots

Lot 503
Charles II, Pattern Crown, 36.05g, 1663, the ‘Petition’ Crown by Thomas Simon
Sold for £207,100

Lot 236
Hong Kong, Victoria (1837-1901), The Unique 1868 Proof Set
Sold for £103,600

Lot 243
Italy, Genoa, Biennial Doges, third coinage (1637-1797), AV 10-Doppie, 66.651g., 1641
Sold for £89,800

Lot 359
Russian, Alexander II, Memorial Medal on his Death, 1881, gold medal by V. Alexeev and A. Griliches Jnr.
Sold for £78,300

Lot 345
Russian, Nicholas I, Opening of the Triumphal Arch in St Petersburg, 1838, gold rectangular medal by H. Gube
Sold for £73,700

Lot 343
Russian, Nicholas I, Opening of the Pulkovo Observatory, 1839, gold medal by H. Gube
Sold for £65,650

Lot 336
Nicholas I, Coronation 1826, gold medal by V. Alexeev and G. Saburov
Sold for £46,100

Lot 200
Colombia, Carlos III (1759-88), 8-Reales, 1770 VJ, Nuevo Reino (Bogota)
Sold for £39,200

Lot 679
Victoria (1837-1901), proof set 1839
Sold for £39,200

Lot 588
Charles I, Oxford Mint, 1642-1646, Triple Unite, 26.85g, 1643
Sold for £32,300

About Spink

Spink is the world’s leading auctioneer of coins, stamps, medals and banknotes. Since its foundation in 1666, the Spink name has become synonymous with tradition, experience and integrity. Holder of three royal warrants and numerous records for prices achieved at auction, Spink offers an unparalleled range of services to collectors worldwide. Spink is headquartered in London and holds over 35 auctions a year around the globe. In June 2006 Spink shattered the world record for a British Coin sold at auction with the sale of the Double Leopard Gold Coin for a staggering £460,000.

Public Enquiries: 020 7563 4000 – www.spink.com or info@spink.com

Images: Spink Press Office on 020 7563 4009