Great Britain 1687 4 pence
This specimen was lot 30633 in Heritage sale 3029 (New York, January 2014), where it sold for $763.75. The catalog description[1] noted, "James II Fourpence 1687/6, MS65 NGC. A really gorgeous example of the largest denomination used in Maundy sets, boldly struck and having superb eye-appeal, the king's portrait splendidly detailed, the surrounding broad raised rim undisturbed and seeming to frame the royal image, with gleaming luster beneath vivid amber-gold and bluish green iridescent toning. About as fine as exists. All of this king's coins are difficult to find in any grade higher than EF." The second specimen was lot 74719 in Stack's Bowers Collectors Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, September 2024), where it sold for $125. The catalog description[2] noted, "GREAT BRITAIN. 4 Pence, 1687/6. London Mint. James II. PCGS EF-45. A well-presented example of the issue with a solid portrait of Britain's final Catholic monarch. Pale gray overall with much brilliance and only minor wear and marks evident." This type was struck 1685-88 during James's short reign. It is perhaps the most available denomination. During the eighteenth century the sixpence edged out the four pence, which was relegated to Maundy sets.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 2.01 g, 0.925 fine silver.
Catalog reference: S-3414, KM 455.1.
- Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1601-1700, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2014.
- Rayner, P. Alan, and Maurice Bull, English Silver Coinage from 1649, 6th Ed., London: Spink & Son, 2015.
- Skingley, Philip, ed., Standard Catalogue of British Coins: Coins of England & the United Kingdom, 46th edition, London: Spink & Son, 2011.
- [1]Bierrenbach, Cristiano, Stuart Levine and Bruce Lorich, Heritage World and Ancient Coins Auction 3029, featuring Selections from the Eric P. Newman Collection, Part III, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2013.
- Lobel, Richard, Mark Davidson, Allan Hailstone and Eleni Calligas, Coincraft's Standard Catalogue of English and UK Coins, 1066 to Date, London: Coincraft, 1995.
- Rayner, P. Alan, and Maurice Bull, English Silver Coinage from 1649, 6th Ed., London: Spink & Son, 2015.
- Skingley, Philip, ed., Standard Catalogue of British Coins: Coins of England & the United Kingdom, 46th edition, London: Spink & Son, 2011.
- [2]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, September 2024 World Collectors Choice Online Auction, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2024.
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