The Pittman/Krause example of the Canada 1936 Dot Cent has taken the top spot at Heritage Auctions' April 18-19 World & Ancient Coins Signature Auction in Chicago.

The dot (found beneath the date) was added to differentiate between the 1936 and 1937 mintage

The legendary coin sold for $246,750. It was originally stolen from the noted collector John Jay Pittman in 1964, before being returned years later with scratches to the right obverse field, in an envelope with various other coins.

The Dot Cent was produced following the death of Britain's King George V in 1936. As was tradition, the nation's coinage would continue to be printed with the portrait of the dead king until the end of the year, when it would be replaced with coins showing his heir, Edward VIII.

A case of collector envy? The coin was stolen and then returned with scratches to the fields

However, the plans could not go ahead, as Edward famously abdicated his throne shortly before the issue was released in December 1936, leaving the new coins invalid. This soon led to a shortage of copper coins in Canada, and Canadian authorities were forced to keep producing coins bearing the portrait of King George V until the issues surrounding the throne were settled.

The mint decided to differentiate this new minting with the addition of a tiny dot below the date, a feature that was applied to the one cent, 10 cent and 25 cent coins. However, only the 25 cent piece was ever put into circulation and there are only three known example of the Dot Cent surviving today.

The example at auction is the finest of the three known examples, as the only one to achieve a Mint State grading at MS63.

We have a fantastic selection of British coins for sale, including an 1831 William IV proof crown, which has "WW" (William Wyon) engraved over a weaker trace of W Wyon. A previously unrecorded variety, it provides a fantastic opportunity for research.