Great Britain 1688/7 2 guineas
This specimen was lot 30223 in Heritage sale 3097 (New York, January 2022), where it sold for $33,600. The catalog description[1] noted,
"Exceptionally Rare James II 2 Guineas in Borderline Mint State Condition. Great Britain: James II gold 2 Guineas 1688/7 AU58 PCGS. Only the second example of this elusive type-date that we have ever encountered, and the first in nearly 20 years! This two-year type, struck in 1687 and 1688, remains incredibly fleeting and thus out of reach to most collectors. In fact, a mere handful of auction results can be counted from the last two decades. NGC has certified a single example of the 1688/7, with PCGS having seen four, only one of which exceeds this near-uncirculated survivor. 1688-dated examples are only listed as an overdate issue, bearing the distinct trace of a clearly identifiable "7" underneath the final digit of the date. This feature is also discernible on the present offering as well, surrounded in traces of reflective luster that grip the legends, shimmering brightly when rotated in hand. A balanced strike has produced fine detail throughout, with no isolated areas of weakness noted, and perhaps only a touch of high point rub combined with gentle friction to preclude a full uncirculated designation. Succinctly stated, an opportunity not to be missed!"
This type was struck 1687-88. This date only comes as an overdate. The next issue of this denomination, by William III, was in 1691.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 16.70 g, 0.917 fine gold, 0.492 troy oz AGW.
Catalog reference: KM 464, Fr-294, S-3399, 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, NYINC World Coins Platinum Night Auction 3097, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2021.
Link to: