Heritage World Coin Auctions
ANA Signature Sale 3075 15 Aug 2019
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Great Britain
George II gold 5 Guineas 1746-LIMA MS61 NGC, KM586.1, S-3665. Decimo Nono edge. Outstanding, a premium 'hallmarked' English coin, almost never encountered in Mint State. The hefty weight of gold used to produce this 5 Guineas of George II was part of the £500,000 in specie captured by Admiral Anson (a prominent Royal Navy officer) in his raids on Spanish treasure ships bearing gold and silver mined in Lima, Peru. On their safe return to Portsmouth, Anson was met by a cheering crowd who formed a parade all the way back to London so as to safely deposit the tons of captured Spanish ore at the Royal Mint. To celebrate their victory (and humiliate their enemies), coins made from this treasure were marked 'Lima' beneath the bust of George II, and thus an enigmatic and historic coinage was born.
Of the 28 Lima 5 Guineas seen by NGC and PCGS combined, just six have been certified as Mint State, including the present offering (which is only two points from the highest graded); indeed, auction record shows no Mint State specimens of this one-year type having ever appeared at auction. Even allowing for the significant conditional rarity of this piece one is still led to believe it has been conservatively graded, for its eye appeal far transcends its MS61 designation. Every minute element of the striking detail is boldly present and razor-sharp, George's crisp portrait illuminated through rich mint luster; minor hairlines reside in the fields and provide no significant detraction, the only notable characteristic a fine, shallow die break parallel to GRATIA. Retaining almost its entire butter-gold coloration, hints of a vivid red toning forming at the peripheries and bolstering the eye appeal. Almost all notable collections of English coins lack a Mint State Lima 5 Guineas, their acquisition a goal attainable by solely the highest tier of collectors. Accordingly, we can only anticipate the excitement that this superlative offering will generate when it crosses the auction block.
https://coins.ha.com/itm/great-britain/great-britain-george-ii-gold-5-guineas-1746-lima-ms61-ngc-/a/3075-32215.s?type=CoinArchives3075
HID02906262019
© 2019 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved
Estimate: 40000-60000 USD
George II gold 5 Guineas 1746-LIMA MS61 NGC, KM586.1, S-3665. Decimo Nono edge. Outstanding, a premium 'hallmarked' English coin, almost never encountered in Mint State. The hefty weight of gold used to produce this 5 Guineas of George II was part of the £500,000 in specie captured by Admiral Anson (a prominent Royal Navy officer) in his raids on Spanish treasure ships bearing gold and silver mined in Lima, Peru. On their safe return to Portsmouth, Anson was met by a cheering crowd who formed a parade all the way back to London so as to safely deposit the tons of captured Spanish ore at the Royal Mint. To celebrate their victory (and humiliate their enemies), coins made from this treasure were marked 'Lima' beneath the bust of George II, and thus an enigmatic and historic coinage was born.
Of the 28 Lima 5 Guineas seen by NGC and PCGS combined, just six have been certified as Mint State, including the present offering (which is only two points from the highest graded); indeed, auction record shows no Mint State specimens of this one-year type having ever appeared at auction. Even allowing for the significant conditional rarity of this piece one is still led to believe it has been conservatively graded, for its eye appeal far transcends its MS61 designation. Every minute element of the striking detail is boldly present and razor-sharp, George's crisp portrait illuminated through rich mint luster; minor hairlines reside in the fields and provide no significant detraction, the only notable characteristic a fine, shallow die break parallel to GRATIA. Retaining almost its entire butter-gold coloration, hints of a vivid red toning forming at the peripheries and bolstering the eye appeal. Almost all notable collections of English coins lack a Mint State Lima 5 Guineas, their acquisition a goal attainable by solely the highest tier of collectors. Accordingly, we can only anticipate the excitement that this superlative offering will generate when it crosses the auction block.
https://coins.ha.com/itm/great-britain/great-britain-george-ii-gold-5-guineas-1746-lima-ms61-ngc-/a/3075-32215.s?type=CoinArchives3075
HID02906262019
© 2019 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved
Estimate: 40000-60000 USD