Great Britain 1679 2 guineas
This specimen was lot 31173 in Heritage sale 3089 (Dallas, TX, January 2021), where it sold for $24,000. The catalog description[1] noted, "Great Britain. Charles II gold 2 Guineas 1679 MS61 NGC. Second bust. Elite for the type, with an incredible strike having produced bold designs throughout, particularly in the laureate bust of Charles II. The surrounding fields are filled with cupric iridescence--subtly glowing in the centers and as a more pronounced ring that haloes the legend--and while minuscule marks are noted across both sides, the overall allure of this offering remains outstanding. Only the second example of the type we have offered, the current selection presently ranks undisputed as the single finest certified across NGC and PCGS combined, not a terribly surprising fact considering that most survivors of the issue rarely escape heavy circulation and use in jewelry. For comparison, we would note that this date is altogether missing from the Tyrant Collection. Ex. Spink Auction 124 (November 1997, Lot 2171). From the Penn Collection." This type was struck 1675-84. There is a similar type (KM 443.2) struck during the same years (but not in 1679) with an elephant and castle added below the king's bust; this marked gold obtained from Africa.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 16.70 g, 0.917 fine gold.
Catalog reference: KM 443.1, Fr-284, S-3335, Schneider-Unl.
- Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1601-1700, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2014.
- Friedberg, Arthur L. and Ira S. Friedberg, Gold Coins of the World, From Ancient Times to the Present, 9th ed., Clifton, NJ: Coin and Currency Institute, 2017.
- Lobel, Richard, Mark Davidson, Allan Hailstone and Eleni Calligas, Coincraft's Standard Catalogue of English and UK Coins, 1066 to Date, London: Coincraft, 1995.
- Skingley, Philip, ed., Standard Catalogue of British Coins: Coins of England & the United Kingdom, 46th edition, London: Spink & Son, 2011.
- [1]Cristiano Bierrenbach, Warren Tucker and Sam Spiegel, Heritage Auction 3089: NYINC World & Ancient Coins Platinum & Signature Auction - Dallas, featuring the Cape Coral Collection of European Crowns and the Penn Collection, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2020.
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