A fine example of the 1839 Una and the Lion five pounds coin of Great Britain has seen the highest bids in Bonhams' June 3 Coins & Medals auction in Los Angeles.
 The commemorative coin is one of the most beautiful ever produced in Great Britain and is very rare |
The coin, engraved by the legendary 19th century artist William Wyon, sold for $81,900. It was originally part of the 1839 Coronation sets produced to mark the reign of Queen Victoria, and is one of just 300 ever produced.
The coin shows a young bust of the queen aged 20 on the obverse, while the reverse has the queen dressed as Una with a Lion - two long-standing symbols of Great Britain.
Considered one of the most desirable and attractive of all British coinage, this example is particularly fine, free from scuffs and with a minimum amount of hairlines, which are commonly found in this variety.
 The 1813 half eagle is one of the easiest dates of its design type to find |
Bringing the second highest bids of the auction was a US 1813 $5 coin, which is graded MS64 and sold for $52,650.
The 1813 half eagle is actually one of the easier dates of its design type to find in good condition, though PCGS has graded just three examples at a finer grade than the example at auction.
Also featuring was a proof-63 graded Saint-Gaudens double eagle of 1910, which originates from the Champagne Lanson Bonnet Collection of US Gold $20 Coins that was unearthed in France in 2012.
Selling at $35,100, proof Saint-Gaudens coins are of the highest rarity with a recorded mintage of just 167 pieces, of which just 60-75 are known today.
Paul Fraser Collectibles has a brilliant opportunity for collectors of British coinage - a transitional 1831 William IV proof crown that has an altered obverse die, a variation that has never been recorded before.
This coin provides a superb chance to own a potentially unique piece, which offers great opportunity for additional research.
