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Sovereign Rarities Ltd
Auction 1  25 Sep 2018
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Lot 290

Estimate: 200 GBP
Price realized: 460 GBP
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Anne (1702-14), silver Pre-Union Sixpence, 1703, VIGO. below draped bust left, Latin legend and toothed border surrounding, ANNA.DEI. GRATIA., rev. Pre-Union crowned cruciform shields, four strings to Irish harp, garter star at centre, date either side of top crown, Latin legend and toothed border surrounding, .MAG BR. FRA ET. HIB REG., weight 3.03g (Bull 1446; ESC 1582; C&R 645; S.3590). Toned, with some flecking and light streaking both sides, small hairline die flaw in reverse field, tiny rim split on reverse, otherwise almost extremely fine.

Provenance:
Ex Spink Numismatic Circular, November 1998, item 6982.

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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