Sovereign Rarities Ltd
Auction 2 24 Sep 2019
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George II (1727-60), gold Guinea, 1731, second young laureate head left, legend small lettering both sides of coin, GEORGIVS.II. DEI.GRATIA., rev. second crowned quartered shield of arms, date either side of crown, M.B.F. ET. H. REX. F.D. B.ET. L. D. S. R. I. A. T ET. E., weight 8.33g (Schneider 584; MCE 303; S.3672). Toned with plenty of mint bloom, extremely fine, reverse good extremely fine and very rare this well preserved, has been graded and slabbed by PCGS as AU58, the only example graded.
PCGS certification 779639.58/85165531
This 1731 Guinea is the only example graded on the PCGS population report where it features as the illustration for this date. NGC have only graded two examples of this date, one better, one worse, all in all a very rare date.
The Master of the Mint at this time was John Conduitt in office since the death of Sir Isaac Newton in 1727, until 1737. Interestingly the indenture for the reign of George II signed as late as 1732 also provided for Quarter Guineas to be struck but alas they were never required. John Croker was the by now aged Chief Engraver at the Mint since the time of Queen Anne and remained in his post until 1741. However, many of his day to day duties were being undertaken by the highly skilled John Sigismund Tanner. Output of gold for the calendar year of 1731 totalled £305,768 which also included that coinage provenance marked from the East India Company.
PCGS certification 779639.58/85165531
This 1731 Guinea is the only example graded on the PCGS population report where it features as the illustration for this date. NGC have only graded two examples of this date, one better, one worse, all in all a very rare date.
The Master of the Mint at this time was John Conduitt in office since the death of Sir Isaac Newton in 1727, until 1737. Interestingly the indenture for the reign of George II signed as late as 1732 also provided for Quarter Guineas to be struck but alas they were never required. John Croker was the by now aged Chief Engraver at the Mint since the time of Queen Anne and remained in his post until 1741. However, many of his day to day duties were being undertaken by the highly skilled John Sigismund Tanner. Output of gold for the calendar year of 1731 totalled £305,768 which also included that coinage provenance marked from the East India Company.