St. James's Auctions
Auction 39 30 September 2016
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† Charles II, five guineas, 1669, V. PRIMO, first laur. bust r., rev. crowned cruciform shields, sceptres in angles (S.3328), certified and graded by NGC as About Uncirculated 55, faint wear on the high points of the design, portrait most pleasing, with a light red tone and very attractive in all respects
The only example graded this highly by NGC or PCGS.
The second year of issue for this denomination, with no hallmark beneath the royal portrait. This is a distinctly Renaissance style of coin, with its more lifelike image of the king compared to the medieval imagery of recent memory in 1669. And its subject, Charles II, may fairly be said to have been the last of the English kings of great heart, familiar personally with battle and not entirely mired in courtly intrigue. Prince Charles was a lad of twelve when he witnessed the Battle of Edgehill alongside his father, and he remained with his father for some time in exile at Oxford. As the Civil War wore on, and the inevitable end approached, he escaped to France (July 1646) to take up residence at the court of King Louis, where he grew to manhood. Upon his return to his native England, he forgave most of his father's traitors and sought to unite the land once again as a monarchy. In peacetime he became a patron of the arts and founded what is now the National Art Collection. His personal interest in artistry is certainly evident in the quality of his image on this and his other coins, engraved by mint personnel being watched by the royal eye, which gave final approval. (£25000-30000)
The only example graded this highly by NGC or PCGS.
The second year of issue for this denomination, with no hallmark beneath the royal portrait. This is a distinctly Renaissance style of coin, with its more lifelike image of the king compared to the medieval imagery of recent memory in 1669. And its subject, Charles II, may fairly be said to have been the last of the English kings of great heart, familiar personally with battle and not entirely mired in courtly intrigue. Prince Charles was a lad of twelve when he witnessed the Battle of Edgehill alongside his father, and he remained with his father for some time in exile at Oxford. As the Civil War wore on, and the inevitable end approached, he escaped to France (July 1646) to take up residence at the court of King Louis, where he grew to manhood. Upon his return to his native England, he forgave most of his father's traitors and sought to unite the land once again as a monarchy. In peacetime he became a patron of the arts and founded what is now the National Art Collection. His personal interest in artistry is certainly evident in the quality of his image on this and his other coins, engraved by mint personnel being watched by the royal eye, which gave final approval. (£25000-30000)