A magnificent example of the Great Britain 1887 Victoria gold crown is expected to see the highest bids in Heritage Auctions' Ancient & World Coin Signature Auction, which is to be held on January 6-7 in New York.

The portrait was completed by engraver William Wyon at the start of Victoria's reign

Providing an early highlight for the numismatic community in 2013, the crown will sell with a $200,000-250,000 estimate. Originating from the illustrious Murdoch collection and graded PR64 Ultra Cameo, the coin is one of the finest examples of its type.

Another example of the coin, in poorer condition, was sold for $45,387 in May 2012, making an 86.6% increase on estimate. It was sold as part of the prestigious Bentley Collection of British Coins.

The Order of the Garter is the highest order of chivalry in England

1887 was the final year of the young head design on the Great Britain sovereign, which was struck after William Wyon's renowned portrait at the beginning of Queen Victoria's reign. The large portrait is complemented by the Order of the Garter crest on the reverse, surrounded by an intricate bowed wreath.

Struck in Nuremburg, Germany by the die-sinking firm L C Lauer, the piece features a brilliant reflective lustre and shows only faint hairlines, with no abrasions or edge bruising. In this condition, the coin is of the utmost rarity and is seldom seen at auction, making it a "prize for the ultimate crown collection", according to Heritage.

We offer a range of British and world coins to complement even the most discerning of collections, with a previously unrecorded example of the William IV 1831 Crown providing a fitting highlight.