Petition Crown Realizes More than $1 Million, Setting Record
For the second time this year, an example of England’s 1663 Petition Crown certified by Numismatic Guaranty Company® (NGC®) has realized a record price. One of the greatest treasures in all of English numismatics, a high-grade 1663 Petition Crown broke the $1 million barrier in an auction of rarities from the Geoffrey Cope Collection that were offered in an exceptional auction on May 8, 2024. The sale was presented by Numismatica Genevensis SA, Numismatica Ars Classica NAC AG and Classical Numismatic Group.
Charles II. 1660-1685. Pattern AR Crown – The famous ‘Petition’ Crown. By Thomas Simon. Dated 1663. In NGC encapsulation 2153882-010, graded MS 63+. Numismatica Ars Classica (with Classical Numismatic Group and Numismatica Genevensis) Auction 145, Lot 1306. Result: 949.375 CHF.
This particular example (lot 1306) realized CHF 949,375 (about $1.04 million), far above its pre-auction estimate of CHF 500,000 (about $553,000). With a grade of NGC MS 63+, it is easily the sole finest in the NGC Census.
The Petition Crown is a fascinating pattern coin because it was, in fact, a job application. Thomas Simon struck several examples of the coin with a magnificent rendition of Charles II on the obverse and a cruciform coat of arms on the reverse, as well as innovative edge letters that laid out his request. Though masterfully executed, Simon’s Petition Crown failed to persuade Charles II to use Simon’s work for coinage.
Another example of the Petition Crown graded NGC MS 62 realized $960,000 at a Heritage Auctions sale on January 8, 2024, which at the time was a new record.
Petition Crown of Charles II from the Cope Collection. © Stephen Wakeham.
“NGC is proud to have certified many of the greatest numismatic rarities in the world, including these two Petitions Crowns,” said Ben Wengel, Senior Vice President of World Coin Grading for NGC. “These record prices show that collectors are bidding confidently, knowing that the authenticity and grade of these phenomenally rare coins are backed by the NGC Guarantee.”
Other NGC-certified highlights from the Cope Collection auction included:
- an England 1664 Crown graded NGC PF 62 (lot 1308) that realized CHF116,375 (about $128,000)
- a Great Britain Silver Dollar with an octagonal counterstamp struck on a US 1799 Silver Dollar graded NGC XF 45 and AU Strong for the counterstamp (lot 1413) that realized CHF104,125 (about $115,000)
- an England 1705 Crown – Plumes graded NGC MS 61 (lot 1355) that realized CHF56,350 (about $62,000)
- a Great Britain 1726 Half Crown – Plumes & Roses graded NGC MS 62 (lot 1372) that realized CHF49,000 (about $54,000)
- a Great Britain 1831 Crown graded NGC PF 63 (lot 1450) that realized CHF44,100 (about $49,000)
- an England 1671 Shilling – Plumes Obverse and Reserve graded NGC MS 62 (lot 1314) that realized CHF39,200 (about $43,000)
- a Great Britain 1689 Gold William and Mary Coronation Medal graded NGC MS 61 (lot 1331) that realized CHF35,525 (about $39,000)
Prices realized include buyer’s premium.
NGC made a video about the Petition Crown:
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