Goldberg Coins & Collectibles Auctions    
       
Sale 31: The Pre-Long Beach Auction May 30 - June 1, 2005
Lot 2175

Great Britain. Pattern silver Sixpence by Blondeau (and 
Simon), 1651. Commonwealth of England. ESC-1498, plain edge. Struck in a screw press. R2, very rare. 
Peter (or Pierre) Blondeau, was a French engraver who 
invented better minting equipment. He came to England in 
September 1649 at the request of Parliament and made a small 
number of patterns on his equipment, from dies cut by Thomas 
Simon. After the Civil War, Charles II brought him back to 
England to assist in the new coinage for the Restoration. 
British coiners at the mint produced some patterns by David 
Ramage to show that foreign assistance was not needed. 
The opposition was successful and Blondeau left the kingdom. Several years later Blondeau was invited to return. His 
special coins of 1651 (including a tiny number of 
halfcrowns, shillings and sixpence, as here) are all that 
remain of his work for the Commonwealth. 

Estimated Value $4,500-5,250. 

Provenance: The Cheshire Collection.
Realized $3,700
             
Courtesy Ira & Larry Goldberg Auctioneers, Beverly Hills, 
CA. www.goldbergcoins.com