Wyon family ‘medallic memento’ offered at auction

What auctioneers are calling a “rare and poignant medallic memento” with a connection to our home and native land will cross the block during this month’s American Numismatic Association (ANA) Auction.

Last offered in 1991, the so-called “medallic memento” features the reverse of an 1862 New Brunswick 20-cent coin with a rare obituary “pattern” on the other side. The obituary reads, “G. W. WYON / OBIT / MARCH 27th 1862 / ÆTAT / 26 YEARS,” referencing George William Wyon, a member of the well-known family of engravers whose work is fondly remembered by collectors of both Canadian and British medals.

One of just three known examples, it crosses the block among 48 Canadian lots during Stack’s ANA Auction of world coins, which closes on Aug. 18. It’s expected to bring upwards of $10,000 US (about $12,500 Cdn.) as Lot 40099.

The top-billed Canadian lot at that sale is an “outstanding” Heaton Mint silver specimen set of four 1882-H Newfoundland coins formerly from the Cornerstone Collection (“Cornerstone Collection ‘virtually all sold,’” CCN Vol. 58 #21). The set crosses the block as Lot 40105 with an estimate of $70,000 US (about $88,000 Cdn.).

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