4 Pence - Victoria 1st portrait, Maundy, Gold proof

The Maundy 4 Pence is a silver denomination by long tradition — this gold proof is a pattern or trial piece, almost certainly struck as part of the first consolidated proof set issued for Victoria's coronation year. The Royal Mint produced a small number of gold proofs across multiple denominations in 1838, primarily for presentation purposes and for collectors with direct access to the Mint. William Wyon's young head portrait appeared here for the first time on a British coinage, freshly completed that year.