Great Britain 1717 2 guineas
This specimen was lot 31189 in Heritage sale 3089 (Dallas, TX, January 2021), where it sold for $36,000. The catalog description[1] noted, "Great Britain. George I gold 2 Guineas 1717 MS63 NGC. Fully original and choice in all regards, with glowing surfaces that retain the fresh, as-struck appearance craved by collectors, and luster that leaps from the fields, bathing the raised elements in a superior glow. Striking softness remains minimal throughout, and aside from a few annealing flaws and faint wisps, the flan is void of any overtly distracting marks. From a preservation standpoint, this offering is likely among the finest survivors from this three-year series--currently the single finest certified--and as few like-certified examples have appeared in auction, a coin that is worthy of even the finest cabinets of British gold rarities. Ex. Spink Auction 124 (November 1997, Lot 2176). From the Penn Collection." The guinea of 21 shillings was the standard British gold coin during the eighteenth century and was issued in large numbers. Most were exported to pay soldiers and provide "subsidies" for friendly rulers. Guineas were superseded by sovereigns during the reform of 1817. Two guineas of George I are known for 1717, 1720 and 1726.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 16.70 g, 0.917 fine gold.
Catalog reference: KM 554, S-3627, Schneider-Unl.
- 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.
- Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
- 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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