William III (1694-1702), Pattern silver Sixpence, 1696, fine work, more finely engraved second laureate and draped bust in relief right, with hair across breast, Latin legend and toothed border surrounding, GVLIELMVS. III. DEI. GRA, rev. inverted die axis, crowned cruciform shields, seven fine strings to harp, Lion of Nassau at centre, date either side of top crown, Latin legend and toothed border surrounding, MAG BR.FRA ET.HIB RFX, note F for E in last word, 3.02g (ESC p.148, footnote 1; MCE obverse 3 - 900; Bull 1304 R6). Pleasing cabinet tone, some light flecking, practically as struck for this issue, Extremely Fine, and of the highest rarity and importance. One of only three examples in existence, this the finest.

The Latin legends translate as on the obverse "William III by the grace of God" and on the reverse "King of Great Britain, France and Ireland."
The only other examples known are an inferior piece sold in the A H Baldwin Fixed Price List, Winter 2014, item BM119, and that in the British Museum Collection, in similar condition to the piece offered here, being illustrated on page 21 of Spink's Milled Silver Coinage of England, published in 1925. The British Museum houses finely engraved second bust patterns of the Crown (two varieties) and Halfcrown, no examples of which are known to be in private hands. The companion Shilling which is unique turned up at B A Seaby in 1949 and sold to Lord Hamilton of Dalzell, subsequently selling as part of his collection at Spink in February 1979, where it realised a hammer price of £13,000. This Sixpence therefore sits with extremely rare company and is the finest available.
Provenance:
Ex Spink and Son Ltd, private transaction 1992.
Ex Alfred Bole Collection, part I, Dix Noonan and Webb, 29 September 2010, lot 1687.
Ex A H Baldwin & Sons Ltd, Fixed Price List, Winter 2011, item BM121.
Ex Baldwin Auction 99, 4th May 2016, lot 1035.