3 days
Lot 30:
Description
Charles II (1660-85), gold Five Guineas, 1681, second laureate bust right, Latin legend with pellet stops surrounding, CAROLVS. II. DEI. GRATIA., toothed border surrounding, rev. crowned cruciform emblematic shields, emblematic sceptres in angles, four interlinked C’s at centre, date either side of top crown, abbreviated Latin legend, .MAG. BR. FRA. ET.HIB REX.,toothed border surrounding, edge inscribed in raised letters DECVS ET TVTAMEN ANNO REGNI TRICESIMO TERTIO, 41.56g (Schneider -; Bull EGC 194 plate coin; King -; Holloway 31; M.C.E. 23; S. 3331). Removed from a mount, parts of edge inscription smoothed flat with residual solder in places, wear and attrition from circulation plus from being worn as jewellery with slight sweating, scratches and surface marks, fine.
Condition report:
The Rarity of Five Guinea Pieces - An Analysis appeared in the preface of the Samuel King Collection of Highly Important English Gold Coins sold at Spink on 5th May 2005 co-written by the present cataloguer. The analysis showed that over a 45-year period preceding 2005, since 1960 that only 17 examples of the Five Guineas dated 1681 plain below bust had been bought or sold in numismatic commerce, one of the smallest amounts for this bust type.The Latin legends translate as on the obverse Charles the second by the Grace of God, and abbreviated on the reverse as King of Great Britain, France and Ireland. Additionally the edge translates as An ornament and a safeguard, in the thirty third year of the reign.The total gold output for the calendar year 1681 amounted to £299,119 worth of Five Guineas, Two Guineas, Guineas and Half-Guineas.
Share this lot:
