Sovereign Rarities Ltd
Auction 2 24 Sep 2019
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Anne (1702-14), gold Five Guineas, 1706, Post-Union type, first draped bust left, legend and toothed border surrounding, ANNA. DEI. GRATIA., rev. crowned emblematic Post-Union cruciform shields, rose at centre, emblematic sceptres in angles, date either side of top crown, legend and toothed border surrounding, .MAG. BRI.FR. ET.HIB. REG., edge inscribed in raised letters, of upright orientation to obverse, DECVS. ET. TVTAMEN ANNO. REGNI. QVINTO, all letter Ns on edge inverted, weight 41.86g (Schneider 529; MCE 200; S.3566). Unusually the cross and stop at start of the edge inscription absent, probably due to collar slippage in striking, otherwise with a number of light surface marks both sides, an area of light wispy brushing on cheek and shoulder, now lightly toned with underlying brilliance, interesting variety in that the Ns on edge inscription are upside down, otherwise almost extremely fine, reverse stronger.
The highest survival rate of Five Guinea from the reign of Queen Anne is the Post-Union variety of England and Scotland gold Five Guineas dated 1706 with 94 examples traced in "The Rarity of Five Guinea Pieces – An Analysis" which appeared in the preface of the Samuel King Collection of Highly Important English Gold, a survey of 45 years of dealer sales lists and auction catalogues from 1960-2005. The Post-Union variety shows in two opposing positions the English and Scottish arms dimidiated. Though the actual agreement of Union did not take place till the 1st May 1707, strangely these Five Guinea coins appeared dated 1706 (there is also a Pre-Union reverse variety dated 1706 which is much rarer), and is the only coin denomination of the date 1706 with this reverse arrangement, all other denominations that depict a Post-Union reverse are dated correctly 1707 or later.
Provenance:
Ex Noble Investments plc, purchased Summer 2004.
The highest survival rate of Five Guinea from the reign of Queen Anne is the Post-Union variety of England and Scotland gold Five Guineas dated 1706 with 94 examples traced in "The Rarity of Five Guinea Pieces – An Analysis" which appeared in the preface of the Samuel King Collection of Highly Important English Gold, a survey of 45 years of dealer sales lists and auction catalogues from 1960-2005. The Post-Union variety shows in two opposing positions the English and Scottish arms dimidiated. Though the actual agreement of Union did not take place till the 1st May 1707, strangely these Five Guinea coins appeared dated 1706 (there is also a Pre-Union reverse variety dated 1706 which is much rarer), and is the only coin denomination of the date 1706 with this reverse arrangement, all other denominations that depict a Post-Union reverse are dated correctly 1707 or later.
Provenance:
Ex Noble Investments plc, purchased Summer 2004.