CNG 108, Lot: 1188. Estimate $500. Sold for $1200. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

HANOVER. George III. 1760-1820. CU Pattern Guinea (23mm, 4.01 g, 6h). Dies by Thomas Pingo for Earl Stanhope. Dated 1781. Laureate fourth head right / Crowned royal coat-of-arms; shield in ornate frame. Eimer, Pingo 76; Selig –; cf. W&R 95 (issue in gold; dated 1774). Near EF, weakly struck in center. Rare.

From the Anthony Halse Collection of British Pattern Coins.

Charles Mahon, 3rd Earl of Stanhope (1753-1816), politician, scientist and brother-in-law of William Pitt the Younger, issued a series of patterns for Guineas in 1781 and 1782 to demonstrate his theories on protecting the gold coinage from forgery.