Proof 1902 Sovereign, Melbourne Mint

SOLD WITH SUPPORTING MEMORABILIA.

This Proof 1902 Sovereign came to light in 1998. It was a previously unrecorded example of an Edward VII Proof Sovereign and has been brilliantly preserved in an aged silk-like white pouch on which has been penned “ED VII”. The pouch was housed in an envelope that had inscribed on it ...

“First sovereign of King Edward VII, 1902. Struck on 3 Jan at Melbourne Mint by H.E. (His Excellency) Sir George Sydenham”. 

QUALITY WITHOUT EQUAL.

This Proof 1902 Sovereign is the ultimate Australian proof coin. The design detail is magnificent, sculpted, three dimensional. The fields are like golden mirrors.

Acquired by Coinworks in 1998 the coin was sold to the owner of the Madrid Collection of Australian Rare Coins. And later sold to the owner of the British Museum Proof 1930 Penny. Both owners contend that it was the most engaging coin in their collection.

We contend that it is the finest quality proof sovereign that we have ever handled. And if that sounds like a tall order, we invite you to inspect the photos. 

PROOF COINS ARE THE STORY TELLERS OF OUR INDUSTRY. AND PROOF COINS ARE RARE.

Proof coins are presentation pieces and were struck to the ultimate levels of quality. Proof coins are the story tellers. They define an era, or a year, like no other coin. They can also define an occasion. And a monarch.

Proof coins also tend to have a connection to a prominent person. And so, it is with this coin. The supporting memorabilia that accompanies this coin indicates that it was struck by Sir George Sydenham Clarke, Governor of Victoria between 1901 and 1903.

And proof coins are excruciatingly rare. This Proof 1902 Sovereign particularly scarce. It is unique.

THE EXTREME RARITY OF KING EDWARD VII PROOF SOVEREIGNS.

The Proof Gold Sovereigns of King Edward VII are incredibly scarce. 

Our experiences attest to their scarcity. This is the second only King Edward VII Proof Sovereign that we have handled in a career that spans fifty-plus years.

The infrequent sightings of King Edward VII proofs are explained by the following information.

While Edward VII reigned from 1902 to 1910, records indicate that Proof Sovereigns were only struck in 1902, 1904 and 1910. The 1904 Proof Sovereign has never been sighted.

And there is doubt as to its existence. The industry believes that it may never have been struck.

The only known privately held examples of the Edward VII Proof Sovereign are as follows:

1902 Proof Sovereign struck at the Sydney Mint.
A matte Proof 1902 Sovereign sold at Spink Auctions in November 1989 for $9100 (ex Dangar and Hagley). The industry acknowledges that a Brilliant Proof Sovereign may also have been struck at the Sydney Mint in 1902.

1902 Proof Sovereign struck at the Melbourne Mint.
This is the coin on offer and was sold privately by Coinworks to 'The Madrid Collection of Australian Rare Coins' in 1998 for $45,000.

1910 Proof Sovereign struck at the Melbourne Mint.
The former property of renowned gold coin specialists Ross Pratley and Barrie Winsor, it is unique in private hands. Sold by Coinworks in 2014 to a private collector in Perth.

From a purely financial perspective, the most potent investment coins are those that are quite obviously rare in themselves.

BUT (and this is the clincher) they belong to a sector of the market that is so limited in numbers that it does not give the buyer easy alternatives. 

It is the notion that if you pass on this coin, you will more than likely NEVER be given the opportunity of securing another coin out of the same era. 

This statement may well have been written for this unique 1902 Proof Sovereign of King Edward VII, struck at the Melbourne Mint.

Proof 1902 Melbourne Mint Sovereign reverse, designed by Benedetto Pistrucci.

Proof 1902 Melbourne Mint Sovereign obverse, designed by Sir E. B. MacKennal.

Offered with aged envelope attesting to its origins.

Offered with aged silk-like white pouch.