Sell 1839 Victoria Una and the Lion Gold £5 Proof
Realised auction values for the 1839 Victoria Una and the Lion gold £5 proof (mintage 400). Grade-by-grade pricing, authentication checkpoints, and selling options.
Typical UK collector & dealer range for circulated examples
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Zero seller fees. Insured UK courier or private London & Manchester appointment.
Market Valuation & Pricing Notes
All 1839 Una and the Lion £5 pieces are proofs; 'circulated' here refers to lower-grade Proof (PR60–PR62) examples showing hairlines, contact marks, or impaired surfaces. Realised prices: Heritage Auctions PR61 Ultra Cameo $294,000 (Aug 2025); Heritage PR62 Ultra Cameo (Dec 2023, May 2024); The Coin Cabinet PCGS PR64 DCAM min. £400,000 (2024); MDC Monaco €1,300,000 (Oct 2023) — current record. MyCoinage guide: £100,000–300,000 average grade, £500,000+ top grade. Bullion floor (1.1775 oz AGW @ £1,900/oz) ≈ £2,240 — numismatic premium dominates entirely.
Physical Authentication Checkpoints
Our specialists verify these exact specifications when appraising your 1839 Victoria Una and the Lion Gold £5 Proof:
- Weight: 39.9403 g (AGW 1.1775 oz)
- Diameter: 35.50 mm
- Edge: Lettered 'DECUS ET TUTAMEN * ANNO REGNI TERTIO *' with 'DIRIGE' legend
- Obverse: Young Head left, six scrolls and eleven leaves in fillets; 'W. WYON R.A.' on truncation; legend VICTORIA D: G: BRITANNIARUM REGINA F: D:
- Reverse: Crowned Queen Victoria as Una guiding lion, orb and sceptre in hands, garter star on mantle; date MDCCCXXXIX (1839) and 'W. WYON R.A.' below; legend DIRIGE DEUS GRESSUS MEOS
- Alignment: Medal alignment (↑↑), not coin alignment
- Surface: Proof finish with mirrored fields and frosted devices; Deep Cameo/Ultra Cameo contrast on high-grade examples
- Die variety: Single known die pair (W&R-278, R4 rating); no circulation strikes exist
Coin Specifications
- Catalogue ID
- GB-1839-5GBP-UNA-LION-001
- Denomination
- £5 (Five Pounds / Quintuple Sovereign)
- Issue Year
- 1839
- Rarity Tier
- Ultra-Rare Numismatic
- Mintage
- 400 (Proof Issue)
- Weight
- 39.9403 grams
- Metal Composition
- 22-Carat Gold (.9167 fine)
Common Fakes & Variant Confusion
Modern gold-plated base-metal copies and 'restrikes' sold as novelties on eBay/Etsy for £12–£15; these lack correct weight (often 30–35 g), show casting seams on edge, and have weak detail in Una's diadem and lion's mane. Some 1839 plain-edge proof crowns (different denomination, ~8,000 mintage) are misrepresented as the £5. Authentic pieces are non-magnetic, correct weight/diameter, and show sharp Wyon engraving with no seam.
Best Ways to Sell Your 1839 Victoria Una and the Lion Gold £5 Proof
Compare liquidation routes in the UK, or sell directly to Finacforce with zero auction commission.
Specialist Numismatic Auction (Spink, Baldwin's, London Coins, Heritage Auctions, The Coin Cabinet)
Highest realised prices; international bidder pool; 10–20% seller's commission; 60–90 day settlement; requires slabbed/graded coin for six-figure lots.
BNTA-Accredited Dealer Outright Purchase
Immediate liquidity; 5–15% below auction hammer; no buyer's premium; suitable for PR60–PR62 coins where auction minimums may not be met.
Private Treaty via High-End Dealer/Auction House
Discreet; negotiated commission (often 5–10%); targets specific collectors; slower (3–12 months); best for PR64+ coins with exceptional provenance.
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