The Gold Five Guineas is the largest denomination British Coin ever produced in the pre-decimal era.
As a denomination it was issued from 1668 through 49 different dates until the final pattern piece of 1777.
William came to an unfortunate end when he was killed from complications arising from a riding accident on Constitution Hill near where Buckingham Palace is situated today. Purportedly his horse tripped on a mole hill, unseating his Majesty.
A modern study in 2005 of Five Guineas only tracked 62 specimens of this date traded in commerce over a forty year period.
 William III (1694-1702), gold Five Guineas, 1699 |
The coin above was struck in 22 carat gold in the final year of the 17th Century under King William III, whose Queen and Consort Mary had died in 1694.
William III (1694-1702), gold Five Guineas, dated 1699. First laureate type head right, no obverse punctuation in the Latin legend, gvlielmvs iii dei gra reverse, crowned cruciform shields of arms, sceptres in angles, Lion of Nassau at centre, date either side of top crown, abbreviated Latin legend mag br. fra. et hib rex. Legend translates as William III, by the Grace of God, King of Great Britain, France and Ireland.
Edge inscribed in Latin in raised letters, decvs et tvtamen anno regni undecimo. The letter V's are in fact inverted letter A's, translates as "An Ornament and a Safeguard in the Eleventh Year of His Reign". Diameter approximately 38mm, weight 41.59gms. Light adjustment marks at tip of truncation, toned good very fine, a scarce issue, the lack of obverse punctuation and the use of inverted A's on edge very unusual.
(PT8)
For Sale: £12,500 ($20,625)
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