THE NEW YORK SALE 2018 World.indd

Desirable VIGO Treasure Provenanced Coin of Queen Anne

Anne (1702-14), silver Pre-Union Halfcrown, 1703. VIGO. below draped bust left, Latin legend and

toothed border surrounding, ANNA.DEI. GRATIA. Rev. Pre-Union crowned cruciform shields, garter

star at center, date either side of top crown.MAG BR. FRA. ET. HIB REG. edge inscribed in raised let-

ters.+. DECVS. ET. TVTAMEN. ANNO. REGNI. TERTIO, weight 15.02g (Bull 1358; ESC 569; S 3580;

KM 518.2). Attractively toned, in PCGS holder graded AU 50.

$1,000

PCGS certification 34313084. In the British series of all the provenancemark currency coins, not just in the reign of QueenAnne but

across thewhole range of British coins showing amark or word of where themetal was sourced to strike the coinage, themost intrepid

of stories is behind the capture of theVigo treasure. The Battle of VigoBay occurred on 23rdOctober 1702, and it was after the Battle

that the treasure largely of silver, with a tiny proportionof goldwas captured and transportedback to Southampton on the south coast

of England. From there the treasure was brought with great pomp and ceremony to London, overseen by the Mint Master himself,

oneMr Isaac Newton, to then be turned into coinage at the Royal Mint in the Tower of London. The treasure consisted of thousands

of pounds in weight of silver fromwhich this Halfcrown would have been struck, but a mere seven pounds and eight ounces of gold.

The One Year Only Type Prince Elector Guinea of King George I

George I (1714-27), gold Guinea, 1714 “Prince Elector” type. First laureate head right, Latin legend and

toothed border surrounding, GEORGIVS. D.G.

ET. HIB. REX. F.D. Rev. first reverse with

Prince Elector title, crowned cruciform shields, incorporating the Arms of Hanover, scepters in angles,

garter star at center, date either side of tope crown, Latin legend and toothed border surrounding, BRVN.

ET LVN. DVX

ET. PR. EL. edge obliquely grained, weight 8.35g (Schneider 544; MCE 245;

S 3628; Fr 327b; KM 538). Well struck with the garter star evident, perhaps once lightly wiped, otherwise

hairlined with light surface marks, a bold very fine on obverse due to the high relief of the hair at center,

reverse good very fine,

rare.

$12,500

This one year only type represents an unusual juncture in the date of the British coinage where the last issue of the previous monarch

QueenAnne is of thematching date 1714. This is the only denomination of George I to be dated 1714, he having ascended the throne

on the 1st August 1714 with the Coronation on the 20thOctober. These goldGuineas are the only coins to carry the “Prince Elector”

title. TheLatin legends translates as on the obverse “George, by the grace of God,Kingof Great Britain, France and Ireland,Defender

of the Faith” and on the reverse “Duke of Brunswick and Luneberg, HighTreasurer and Prince Elector of theHoly RomanEmpire.”