1831 Sixpence Proof Mintage Question

[SilverAge3]

I have a friend who recently picked up  an 1831 proof sixpence, and has found conflicting mintage figures.  "I've been trying to pin down the mintage for a while, though. Official numbers are apparently 120 but heritage says 400."  I'm seeing for them if anyone might have some insight into this.  Thanks.

[copper123]

Quite often mintage figures from so long ago are not to be trusted

[SilverAge3]

Yeah, tho i didn't know if that applied to proofs, or just currency.

Chris added this tidbit: "Ah right, it's S-3836/ESC-2501 so nothing even rarer like the grain-edged proof"

[oldcopper]

12 hours ago, SilverAge3 said:

Yeah, tho i didn't know if that applied to proofs, or just currency.

Chris added this tidbit: "Ah right, it's S-3836/ESC-2501 so nothing even rarer like the grain-edged proof"

There's the stated mintage of the 1831 proof sets, which is given as 120 sets. How reliable or where this number is from I don't know, but that's always the figure used in catalogues, annuals etc. I should also add it's often accompanied by the prefix circa, which makes it look more like a later estimate, so it might not even be official. Actual records of early 19th century proof set numbers haven't survived or were never made as far as I know. 

It's thought an unspecified number of extra proofs were also minted, often late strikings in some cases especially for the 1839 set, how many per denomination not known, and if so, for the William proofs the mintage would have been higher than 120. There are also the non-proof-set varieties like the 1831 milled edge sixpence mentioned and the upright bronzed proofs for example, and each 1831 denomination has extra proof varieties.

Edited April 15, 2024 by oldcopper

[SilverAge3]

Thanks for this additional context.

21 hours ago, oldcopper said:

There's the stated mintage of the 1831 proof sets, which is given as 120 sets. How reliable or where this number is from I don't know, but that's always the figure used in catalogues, annuals etc. I should also add it's often accompanied by the prefix circa, which makes it look more like a later estimate, so it might not even be official. Actual records of early 19th century proof set numbers haven't survived or were never made as far as I know. 

It's thought an unspecified number of extra proofs were also minted, often late strikings in some cases especially for the 1839 set, how many per denomination not known, and if so, for the William proofs the mintage would have been higher than 120. There are also the non-proof-set varieties like the 1831 milled edge sixpence mentioned and the upright bronzed proofs for example, and each 1831 denomination has extra proof varieties.

 

[VickySilver]

The bits up through halfcrown of 1831 in proof seem to show up more frequently than the 120 mintage would infer....