Ira and Larry Goldberg Auctioneers
Auction 110 4-5 Jun 2019
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Great Britain. Crown, 1741. S.3687; ESC-123; Dav-1348. George II. First young laureate draped bust left. GEORGIVS II DEI GRATIA. Reverse; Crowned cruciform shields with roses in the four angles. Inverted die axis. Edge reads DECVS ET TUTAMEN ANNO REGNI DECIMO QVARTO in raised letters. Practically flawless and uncirculated, with a deep gray and green tone over unblemished surfaces. An attractive mint bloom is evident on both the obverse and reverse, enhancing the strong eye appeal. An exquisite coin which has never seen circulation, and a candidate to grace a fine collection of British crowns. NGC graded MS-62. Estimate Value $5,000 - 6,000
*George II had been born in Hanover before the Act of Settlement had nominated the Hanoverian line of succession, but after this was passed in 1701, when George was seventeen, the young man was tutored in both the English language and the English way of life. He became a naturalised British citizen in 1705 and received a flock of British titles. There was a considerable rift between George and his father (George I) after the imprisonment of his mother in 1694, and the father refused to grant his son any local responsibilities. Even though he proved his valour at the Battle of Oudenarde in 1708 in the War of the Spanish Succession, his father failed to recognize his abilities.
George ascended the throne in 1727, when England was under the strong political influence of Prime Minister Robert Walpole, but George was keen to interfere. He sought to change his ministers much like his father, but his preferred minister, Sir Spencer Compton, admitted he was not up to forming a government. George was thus forced to continue with Walpole, who accommodated George by voting him more remuneration!
George had a passion for war. The bust fashioned by John Croker on the obverse of this splendid coin shows the king in armour, with the steely gaze of a combative Roman emperor.
George involved himself in hostilities in Europe, when war with Spain broke out in September 1739, and then with France in 1742, in the War of the Austrian Succession. Even though nearing sixty, George took the opportunity to lead an army into the field at Dettingen on 16 June 1743. This was the last occasion that a British sovereign would command an army in battle.
*George II had been born in Hanover before the Act of Settlement had nominated the Hanoverian line of succession, but after this was passed in 1701, when George was seventeen, the young man was tutored in both the English language and the English way of life. He became a naturalised British citizen in 1705 and received a flock of British titles. There was a considerable rift between George and his father (George I) after the imprisonment of his mother in 1694, and the father refused to grant his son any local responsibilities. Even though he proved his valour at the Battle of Oudenarde in 1708 in the War of the Spanish Succession, his father failed to recognize his abilities.
George ascended the throne in 1727, when England was under the strong political influence of Prime Minister Robert Walpole, but George was keen to interfere. He sought to change his ministers much like his father, but his preferred minister, Sir Spencer Compton, admitted he was not up to forming a government. George was thus forced to continue with Walpole, who accommodated George by voting him more remuneration!
George had a passion for war. The bust fashioned by John Croker on the obverse of this splendid coin shows the king in armour, with the steely gaze of a combative Roman emperor.
George involved himself in hostilities in Europe, when war with Spain broke out in September 1739, and then with France in 1742, in the War of the Austrian Succession. Even though nearing sixty, George took the opportunity to lead an army into the field at Dettingen on 16 June 1743. This was the last occasion that a British sovereign would command an army in battle.