Sovereign Rarities Ltd
Auction 2 24 Sep 2019
View prices realized
► Sale information
Find similar lots
Anne (1702-14), silver Pre-Union Crown, 1703, VIGO. below draped bust left, legend and toothed border surrounding, ANNA.DEI. GRATIA., rev. Pre-Union crowned cruciform shields, garter star at centre, date either side of top crown, .MAG BR. FRA. ET. HIB REG., edge inscribed in raised letters, .+ DECVS. ET. TVTAMEN. ANNO. REGNI. TERTIO, no stop after cross at start of legend, weight 30.02g (Bull 1340; ESC 99; S.3576). Attractively toned, some light flecking, light adjustment marks around centre of reverse, otherwise extremely fine.
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.
Provenance:
Ex Frederick Willis (1889-1978) coin dealer of Hall Street Works, West Bromwich, private purchase 1974.
Ex Baldwin of St James, Auction 18, 7th June 2018, lot 222.
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.
Provenance:
Ex Frederick Willis (1889-1978) coin dealer of Hall Street Works, West Bromwich, private purchase 1974.
Ex Baldwin of St James, Auction 18, 7th June 2018, lot 222.