Spink London, 30th September 2025
Carrington And Pallas Collections To Rock Spink Rostrum!
To herald the ‘Greatest Numismatic Auction in British History’ is to promise no small feat.
But this Coinex, Spink is not only delighted to be returning as the Official Show Sponsor for the British Numismatic Trade Association’s annual exposition, but in so doing to bring to market the combined might of two of the finest private collections of English gold coins to be assembled in living memory if not of all time. Courtesy of the Carrington and Pallas cabinets, amongst many other choice private collections to feature; will be no fewer than a thousand lots ranging from Ancient antiquity to the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III.
Set to cross the block, are some of the most celebrated and treasured golden rarities of Medieval and Tudor England, from the Guinness Book of World Records setting Henry III Gold Penny, to a veritable procession of Tudor Gold Ryals from the reigns of Elizabeth I, ‘Bloody’ Mary Tudor, and most spectacularly of all, Henry VII – the first such type coin to appear at global public commerce since the 1980s.
Complimenting this remarkable selection is a host of exclusive rarities from the reigns of Edward III, Henry IV, Edward IV and Richard III, including the outstanding Second Period, ‘L-Signed’ Quarter Noble; a pair of Heavy Nobles from the Pulham and Fishpool hoards respectively; and an extraordinary Gold Angel struck under the usurpation of King Richard III, but apparently naming the fateful ‘Princes in the Tower’. It is no stretch to conclude that the Carrington collection is amongst the finest feature sales ever to grace a Spink rostrum.
With the hallmarks of an all-time classic all-but secured before a catalogue has landed or a bid tendered, each lot is cemented yet further by an enviable and often unparalleled string of ‘second-life’ pedigrees, happily reacquainting the modern collector with their most feted forebears, be that the 19th Century titans of Hyman Montagu and James Gloag Murdoch or more recent legends in the form of Richard Duncan Beresford-Jones and Emery May Norweb.
However as Spink looks forward to celebrating its 360th Year of operations in 2026, this kaleidoscope of numismatic splendour was deemed not quite sufficient for the appetites of our most discerning global connoisseur clientele. Consequently on the same date, in what is being billed as one of the greatest days in British numismatic history, the forgotten Pallas Collection of sensational Milled Proofs will be joining the Carrington cabinet in auction folklore.
For the first time since the Douglas-Morris dispersal over half-a-century a go, London will see the offering of not one, not two but THREE varieties of William Wyon’s vaunted “Una and the Lion” Pattern Five Pounds as well as FIVE examples of his wondrous 1826 Pattern Five Pounds, including a rediscovered example of his Plain Edge Pattern, specially struck for a High Official of the Royal Mint. Complimenting this arresting array of prestigious rarities is a fitting compliment of Five Guineas from King Charles II, William and Mary, Queen Anne, and a prized scarcity in the form a 1735-issue of King George II.
A commendable run of English Proof Sets from 1826 to 1937 completes this ‘once-in-a-generation’ sale, beautifully punctuated by such prized highlights as an 1830-Proof Sovereign, 1853 Pattern ‘Quarter Sovereign’ and a remarkable VIP Brilliant 1958 Proof Sovereign of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. This is an event truly not to be overlooked.
The Spink Coin Department very much look forward to welcoming your interest on Tuesday 30th September!
The Carrington and Pallas Collections of Exceptional English and Anglo-Gallic Gold Coins and Proof Sets will be offered for sale by Spink London on 30th September 2025. For further information please contact Gregory Edmund [email protected].