Great Britain. Proof Two Pounds, 1831. PCGS PF63

Great Britain. Proof Two Pounds, 1831. S.3828; Fr-382; KM-718. William IV, 1830-1837. Bare head of the King facing right. Reverse; Crowned shield of arms and mantle. There were no 1831 £5 pieces, the £2 piece is the highest denomination coin struck in the reign of William IV. This is a one-year type coin. Rare. Pop 7 ; 1 in 63+; 7 in 64; 1 in 64+; 1 in 65+. PCGS graded Proof 63 Deep Cameo. Estimated Value $15,000 - UP
This wonderful coin was the largest denomination in the 1831 Coronation Proof Set, which was the first-ever such set issued by the Royal Mint for collectors. The few earlier, proof sets occurred in years other than the coronation year. Exact mintage has never been established but for the entire set (of gold, silver and copper proofs) the mintage is believed to be about 225. The portrait was engraved by William Wyon, by then the Chief Engraver at the mint; the splendid royal shield on the reverse was the work of J.B. Merlen of the mint, whose specialty for years was engraving splendid reverses for various monarchs. The specimen ranks among the best preserved, most pieces from the sets having suffered hairlines and nicks from poor handling. This specimen is truly regal.
Ex Baldwin St. James's Auction 2, Nov 5, 2005, lot 407.