An extremely rare Royal Mint Engravers trial set c.1961 look...

Estimate

£8,500 - £10,000

An extremely rare Royal Mint Engravers trial set c.1961 looking at typeface varieties for the florin. Each of the five specimens bears the early portrait of Queen Elizabeth II with the typeface abbreviated name raised to the right of each bust. All reverses read "TRIAL DIE".

The set is accompanied by a booklet and copy of original handwritten notes detailing each type face and the experiments conducted by the Deputy Master of the Mint into the suitability of certain styles of lettering. Also, there is an additional handwritten note stating that there were originally seven sets made, these sets were then presented to the Queen for her consideration.

One set had the handwritten note and typed manuscript, the other six sets, rather than having TRIAL DIE on the reverse, had plain reverses. This is the ORIGINAL set and presented in a large hard black case.

Originally purchased from the London Mint Office for £18,000, and last offered in the LCA Sale 155, Lot 84.

A most wonderful piece of numismatic history which would make a fine addition to any collection.