Heritage World Coin Auctions
Dallas Signature Sale 3088 5-6 Nov 2020
View prices realized
► Sale information
Find similar lots
Great Britain
James II gold "Elephant & Castle" 5 Guineas 1687 MS60 NGC, KM460.2, S-3398, Schneider-452. TERTIO edge. One of the most difficult gold types of the Stuart period, the rarity of the 5 Guineas of James II is propounded both by their historicity and general production methods. Elevated to the throne in 1685, James II's reign was ultimately cut short by his blatant adherence to Roman Catholicism--a fact which led to his ultimate expulsion and exile during the Glorious Revolution of 1688. The coin engraving of James's reign also suffered from a frequent problem among Stuart monarchs, namely a generally shallow and flat style of execution, which, when taken together with the natural heft of this denomination and the softness of the metal that frequently led numerous dings, as well as the fact that few from its short mintage were saved due to widespread disapproval for the king, points to notably few attractive and high quality representatives surviving down to the present day. Needless to say, locating a specimen of this only two-year type in Mint State, let alone the hallmarked type struck from Royal African Company gold, is an exceptional feat. Currently the finest of the date certified by either major grading service, this is only the second example of the "Elephant and Castle" 5 Guineas we have offered since our sale of the Dr. Patrick Tan Collection in 2008. While any true comparison for such a piece is difficult, we note than an MS60-certified example of the standard 5 Guineas from this date brought $102,000 in our April Signature sale.
https://coins.ha.com/itm/great-britain/great-britain-james-ii-gold-elephant-and-castle-5-guineas-1687-ms60-ngc-/a/3088-33139.s?type=CoinArchives3088
HID02906262019
© 2020 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved
Estimate: 40000-60000 USD
James II gold "Elephant & Castle" 5 Guineas 1687 MS60 NGC, KM460.2, S-3398, Schneider-452. TERTIO edge. One of the most difficult gold types of the Stuart period, the rarity of the 5 Guineas of James II is propounded both by their historicity and general production methods. Elevated to the throne in 1685, James II's reign was ultimately cut short by his blatant adherence to Roman Catholicism--a fact which led to his ultimate expulsion and exile during the Glorious Revolution of 1688. The coin engraving of James's reign also suffered from a frequent problem among Stuart monarchs, namely a generally shallow and flat style of execution, which, when taken together with the natural heft of this denomination and the softness of the metal that frequently led numerous dings, as well as the fact that few from its short mintage were saved due to widespread disapproval for the king, points to notably few attractive and high quality representatives surviving down to the present day. Needless to say, locating a specimen of this only two-year type in Mint State, let alone the hallmarked type struck from Royal African Company gold, is an exceptional feat. Currently the finest of the date certified by either major grading service, this is only the second example of the "Elephant and Castle" 5 Guineas we have offered since our sale of the Dr. Patrick Tan Collection in 2008. While any true comparison for such a piece is difficult, we note than an MS60-certified example of the standard 5 Guineas from this date brought $102,000 in our April Signature sale.
https://coins.ha.com/itm/great-britain/great-britain-james-ii-gold-elephant-and-castle-5-guineas-1687-ms60-ngc-/a/3088-33139.s?type=CoinArchives3088
HID02906262019
© 2020 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved
Estimate: 40000-60000 USD