Description
George II (1727-60), Five Guineas, 1741, 4 struck over a 3 in date, young laureate head left, GEORGIVS II DEI GRATIA. Rev, crowned quartered shield of arms, eleven strings to Irish harp, date either side of crown, legend surrounds MBFE ET H REX FD BET LD SRIA T ET E, edge inscription +DECVS ET TVTAMEN ANNO REGNI DECIMO QVARTO, 40.83g (S.3663A ; Schneider 563; EGC 560; MCE.284; Napier 34).
An excellent and well preserved specimen, evenly toned with reflective outer borders, the portrait imposing and regal with an almost magisterial appeal, despite being a plain and simple design, filled with character and presence. The Kings hair defined, without the usual softness and distortion often seen in the high points, the usual contact marks and odd nick. Rev, lustrous overall toning with original mint bloom, quartered coat of arms well struck up, some surface markings and scratches in the south-eastern fields. Good extremely fine.
Ex Leu Numismatik 78.
Further reading:
‘The Rarity of Five Guinea Pieces – An Analysis’ The Samuel King Collection of Highly Important English Gold Coins, Spink, Thursday 5th May 2005, page 5 of Catalogue.
‘The Five and Two Guineas of George II’ Herbert Schneider, Spink Numismatic Circular, January 1957, pp8-12 and February 1957 pp 43-56
