Lot 1167
Great Britain. 2 Guineas, 1694/3. S-3424. Fr-301; KM-482.1. Jugate busts. These joint monarchs issued relatively few gold coins, in all, but their "double guinea" series was particularly brief. The 1691 is never seen.1693 shares its date with this overdate, indicating in and of itself how little the dies were used, as the date was simply reengraved on the obverse die to make the next year's coins. The elephant & castle hallmark appears on some but not on this specimen. The overdate is clear as can be. The strike is also excellent in all respects, including deeply impressed rims. Fields are somewhat prooflike against (on the obverse) frosted portraits. Nary a mark, which is incredible in itself, but the luster has a delightful "hard" brilliance. Over this is a lovely, bright-yellow toning, producing a marvelous "softness" to its eye-appeal. An ancient, very fine scratch runs down William's neck but is all but invisible to the naked eye. The cataloguer has seen specimens over the years which are close to this in quality, but not quite so beautiful and lustrous as this gorgeous rarity. A remarkable example! NGC graded MS-64.
Estimated Value $15,000 - 18,000.
Not part of the Terner Collection.
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| Realized $14,375 |
