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Sovereign Rarities Ltd
Auction 1  25 Sep 2018
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Lot 248

Estimate: 1000 GBP
Price realized: 3400 GBP
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Anne (1702-14), silver Pre-Union Shilling, 1702, VIGO. below first draped bust left, Latin legend and toothed border surrounding, ANNA. DEI. GRATIA., rev. crowned cruciform Pre-Union shields, six strings to Irish harp, garter star at centre, date either side of top crown, J type 1 and letter O type zero, Latin legend and toothed border surrounding, .MAG BR. FRA ET. HIB REG., weight 6.00g (Bull 1387; ESC 1130; C&R 604 R4; S.3585). Attractively toned, practically as struck, mint state, a superb example of the earliest coin struck from the Vigo treasure.

Provenance:
Purchased from A. H. Baldwin and Sons Ltd, vault stock, 22nd August 2008.

The most intrepid of stories lays behind the capture of the Vigo treasure as opposed to the other companies or privateers who had their mark placed upon the coins in other reigns. The Battle of Vigo Bay occurred on 23rd October 1702 and it was after the Battle that the treasure largely of silver with a tiny proportion of gold, was captured and transported back 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, one Mr Isaac Newton, to then be turned into coinage at the Royal Mint in the Tower of London. The treasure consisted of absolutely thousands of pounds in weight of silver, but a mere seven pounds and eight ounces of gold.

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