Thorburn Collection of 1887 coins

[Mr T]

I got an email from Sovereign Rarities about this - does anyone know when the auction catalogue will be available? Looks like some rare and interesting pieces will be up for sale.

[VickySilver]

Yes I’ve heard that as well. I’m not so interested in the micro-varietals such as designer initials and their placement. Perhaps a pristine of the YH Gothic Florin?

[Rob]

He does have some very nice pieces and has studied this in great depth. I'm hoping he might produce a book. I'll ask him when when we go for a beer in the next 2 or 3 weeks. Honest man, just your typical nerd who gets transfixed on a certain topic and lets it run.

[1887jubilee]

Nerd indeed! You are paying for the beer Rob. I must admit talking about the die varieties of the 1887 sixpence has often put grandchildren to sleep. There are many unique pieces in the collection including varieties of the 14 pearl sovereign, some patterns by Lauer, and J R Thomas. Plenty of proof varieties that just are not listed anywhere and so many crowns with different rim sizes. OK I will accept slightly off the spectrum but that is what research is all about.   This one is unlisted

[Peckris 2]

You identified my JH 6d as a pattern, I remember! I'll try and post a picture after I've posted without, just to see if I still get 'Forbidden'...

 

(No, I didn't get 'Forbidden', just "This comment can no longer be edited.." even though it was straight after posting the above comment - and I bet I'm allowed THIS edit even though it's after the picture attempt) 

Edited July 4 by Peckris 2

[1887jubilee]

I certainly have not forgotten the coin. There are still only 3 known to me with the very wide 7. There are also a few less than 10 of the wide 7 variety. All will be clear I hope when the 1887 collection goes online for 23rd. Sep.

[david.bordeaux]

3 hours ago, 1887jubilee said:

Nerd indeed! You are paying for the beer Rob. I must admit talking about the die varieties of the 1887 sixpence has often put grandchildren to sleep. There are many unique pieces in the collection including varieties of the 14 pearl sovereign, some patterns by Lauer, and J R Thomas. Plenty of proof varieties that just are not listed anywhere and so many crowns with different rim sizes. OK I will accept slightly off the spectrum but that is what research is all about.   This one is unlisted

 

I wonder if the sale will include the "proof florin with a wide gap below the truncation"? Bull and other cataloguers imply wrongly that this is the "normal" proof, but in fact nearly all the 1887 proof florins have the later obverse with a narrow gap.

[Sylvester]

I prefer 1888 myself, much lower mintages. 😀

Edited July 16 by Sylvester

[VickySilver]

Are there any Gothic florins in the mix? I am trying to find a nice proof-like or ??proof as I have a number of others as you might guess...

[Mr T]

On 7/5/2025 at 2:20 AM, 1887jubilee said:

I certainly have not forgotten the coin. There are still only 3 known to me with the very wide 7. There are also a few less than 10 of the wide 7 variety. All will be clear I hope when the 1887 collection goes online for 23rd. Sep.

Do you have a picture of the whole coin? Or will it be in the auction catalogue.

I got another email looking for more consignments so hopefully not far away now.

[1887jubilee]

On 7/17/2025 at 12:43 AM, VickySilver said:

Are there any Gothic florins in the mix? I am trying to find a nice proof-like or ??proof as I have a number of others as you might guess...

Yes a real cracker PF64 ex Heritage 3/8/2017 lot 30320 sold $10,575 + p&p + 5% tax + £25 fee to collect the tax.

[1887jubilee]

On 7/4/2025 at 5:36 PM, david.bordeaux said:

I wonder if the sale will include the "proof florin with a wide gap below the truncation"? Bull and other cataloguers imply wrongly that this is the "normal" proof, but in fact nearly all the 1887 proof florins have the later obverse with a narrow gap.

You are correct the proof in the sets has the bust close to the rim. The many currency dies are wider from the rim. The hooked J variety has as many as 25+ different dies but I have not written them up yet. The majority are being gifted to The Royal Mint but some of the best are in the auction. Mainly ex Peter Davies. Of course the IEB is in the sale as well. Some of the finest could easily be taken for proof but Sovereign Rarities are very particular to not overstate any of the coins. At least everyone can make up their own mind. My 1887 "Proof " penny and halfpenny did not pass muster though they were bought as proof and have mirror finish. They were graded MS 64. The silver is possible to find in wonderful proof like finish so it rather depends if you are a buyer or a seller how you grade it. I believe I had a hooked J proof.

[1887jubilee]

I should add there is a very rare florin with 4 bands to the crown and an IEB proof in the exceptional silver set. There are of course the 7 and 8 pearl crowns represented.

[Mr T]

Interesting, looking forward to taking a look.

Do Sovereign Rarities do .pdf catalogues or will it all just be on their website?

[rpeddie]

Released 🧐

[jaggy]

A somewhat belated hello from me ....

Anyway, it's an interesting sale with some very nice examples. Unfortunately, none are really on my buy list. However, I will be interested to see how Lot 157 does as I have an example graded PF64.

PS. there is an error in their description through no fault of theirs. It would appear that the NGC census lists the PF63 in one place and the PF64 in another.

[Peckris 2]

Anyone got a link to the catalogue? I'm not a member of Sovereign Rarities.

[Bruce]

2 hours ago, Peckris 2 said:

Anyone got a link to the catalogue? I'm not a member of Sovereign Rarities.

Here you go!

https://auctions.sovr.co.uk/index.php?option=com_timed_auction&auction_id=29&gridtype=listview

[Peckris 2]

13 hours ago, Bruce said:

Here you go!

https://auctions.sovr.co.uk/index.php?option=com_timed_auction&auction_id=29&gridtype=listview

Thanks!

[Peckris 2]

I had a post about the rare 1887 6d I own, but I'm not being able to post it, not even as a private convo message. Not sure what it is about the post that's causing the problem...

Edited September 8 by Peckris 2

[Mr T]

Did anyone get a physical copy of the catalogue?

[1887jubilee]

Sovereign Rarities have spare catalogues post sale. Ask Steve Hill. It seems the Australian copies still have not arrived. I have advised him. You might look at the rare Melbourne and Sydney sovs and half sovs. several did not sell. I might have to change my profile picture now I have sold the coin. 

[1887jubilee]

On 8/22/2025 at 2:36 PM, 1887jubilee said:

Yes a real cracker PF64 ex Heritage 3/8/2017 lot 30320 sold $10,575 + p&p + 5% tax + £25 fee to collect the tax.

Sold After the sale for £8000+ com.

[1887jubilee]

On 7/17/2025 at 12:43 AM, VickySilver said:

Are there any Gothic florins in the mix? I am trying to find a nice proof-like or ??proof as I have a number of others as you might guess...

Sold after for £8000 + com.

[Exbrit]

19 hours ago, 1887jubilee said:

Sovereign Rarities have spare catalogues post sale. Ask Steve Hill. It seems the Australian copies still have not arrived. I have advised him. You might look at the rare Melbourne and Sydney sovs and half sovs. several did not sell. I might have to change my profile picture now I have sold the coin. 

Some nice sovereigns that did not sell. The Jubilee varieties are tempting.