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March Signature Sale 3096 25-27 Mar 2021
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Great Britain
Anne gold "Vigo" 5 Guineas 1703 UNC Details (Damaged) NGC, KM520.1, Fr-318, S-3561, Schneider-523. 41.90gm. SECVNDO edge. One of the most famous rarities of the British series and the single largest denomination struck from specie captured from the Spanish at Vigo Bay in 1702 as part of the War of Spanish Succession. This treasure amounted to approximately 4,500 pounds of silver but only 7 pounds 8 ounces of gold; as such, silver coins bearing the Vigo hallmark are reasonably attainable, but gold coins are seldom seen. Of these, the 5 Guineas are the rarest, rendering their acquisition a virtually impossible task for the vast majority of collectors. In fact, as few as 15-20 examples are known today.
The Battle of Vigo Bay was precipitated by chance and opportunistic action, rather than any extended planning or foresight. The attempted seizure of Cádiz by Anglo-Dutch forces had failed miserably in the previous month of September, and as a result, Admiral Sir George Rooke had turned his fleet back toward home waters. However, upon receiving the news that an armada of Spanish ships had recently anchored at Vigo Bay in northwestern Spain, Rooke decided to engage. The Spanish took decisive measures to contain and ward off the assault, including the placement of a heavy boom to block the entrance to the bay. Vice Admiral Thomas Hopsonn led the attack in the Torbay, and eventually managed to break through the boom, with several ships following. Despite desperate measures by the Spanish, including the use of a fire ship that, fortunately for the allies, blew up prematurely, the Anglo-Dutch force succeeded, overcoming the enemy ships with relative ease on October 23, 1702. Though it was discovered that most of the cargo had already been unloaded, with the haul subsequently being significantly less than had been expected, the military success was complete, and all ships of the French escort fleet and the Spanish galleons were either destroyed or captured. Further, the event became a huge piece of propaganda for the English, who proceeded to mint coins from the capture bullion, prominently marked with the name "Vigo" in honor of their victory.
Though all survivors of this exceedingly scarce issue receive commensurate collector and bidder attention, it is the uncirculated state of this specimen that catapults it into an elite tier of desirability. Despite a peppering of light marks, alluded to on the holder insert, the luster remains not only full but spectacular. Sleek mint brilliance careens with unimpeded grace across the surfaces, illuminating a warm sunset tone that expresses itself with balanced uniformity, growing in intensity toward the outer registers and gripping the legends in fiery light. The strike appears full, with only a single area of lightness on Anne's left shoulder and an isolated scratch noted to the right field, easily drowned out by an abundance of flaring luster. If ever it were true, this offering, a sparkling jewel of a coin, can only be fully appreciated in hand, if not for the vastness of its historical importance, then certainly for the visual masterpiece that it represents.
https://coins.ha.com/itm/great-britain/great-britain-anne-gold-vigo-5-guineas-1703-unc-details-damaged-ngc-/a/3096-30309.s?type=CoinArchives3096
HID02906262019
© 2020 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved
Estimate: 100000-200000 USD
Anne gold "Vigo" 5 Guineas 1703 UNC Details (Damaged) NGC, KM520.1, Fr-318, S-3561, Schneider-523. 41.90gm. SECVNDO edge. One of the most famous rarities of the British series and the single largest denomination struck from specie captured from the Spanish at Vigo Bay in 1702 as part of the War of Spanish Succession. This treasure amounted to approximately 4,500 pounds of silver but only 7 pounds 8 ounces of gold; as such, silver coins bearing the Vigo hallmark are reasonably attainable, but gold coins are seldom seen. Of these, the 5 Guineas are the rarest, rendering their acquisition a virtually impossible task for the vast majority of collectors. In fact, as few as 15-20 examples are known today.
The Battle of Vigo Bay was precipitated by chance and opportunistic action, rather than any extended planning or foresight. The attempted seizure of Cádiz by Anglo-Dutch forces had failed miserably in the previous month of September, and as a result, Admiral Sir George Rooke had turned his fleet back toward home waters. However, upon receiving the news that an armada of Spanish ships had recently anchored at Vigo Bay in northwestern Spain, Rooke decided to engage. The Spanish took decisive measures to contain and ward off the assault, including the placement of a heavy boom to block the entrance to the bay. Vice Admiral Thomas Hopsonn led the attack in the Torbay, and eventually managed to break through the boom, with several ships following. Despite desperate measures by the Spanish, including the use of a fire ship that, fortunately for the allies, blew up prematurely, the Anglo-Dutch force succeeded, overcoming the enemy ships with relative ease on October 23, 1702. Though it was discovered that most of the cargo had already been unloaded, with the haul subsequently being significantly less than had been expected, the military success was complete, and all ships of the French escort fleet and the Spanish galleons were either destroyed or captured. Further, the event became a huge piece of propaganda for the English, who proceeded to mint coins from the capture bullion, prominently marked with the name "Vigo" in honor of their victory.
Though all survivors of this exceedingly scarce issue receive commensurate collector and bidder attention, it is the uncirculated state of this specimen that catapults it into an elite tier of desirability. Despite a peppering of light marks, alluded to on the holder insert, the luster remains not only full but spectacular. Sleek mint brilliance careens with unimpeded grace across the surfaces, illuminating a warm sunset tone that expresses itself with balanced uniformity, growing in intensity toward the outer registers and gripping the legends in fiery light. The strike appears full, with only a single area of lightness on Anne's left shoulder and an isolated scratch noted to the right field, easily drowned out by an abundance of flaring luster. If ever it were true, this offering, a sparkling jewel of a coin, can only be fully appreciated in hand, if not for the vastness of its historical importance, then certainly for the visual masterpiece that it represents.
https://coins.ha.com/itm/great-britain/great-britain-anne-gold-vigo-5-guineas-1703-unc-details-damaged-ngc-/a/3096-30309.s?type=CoinArchives3096
HID02906262019
© 2020 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved
Estimate: 100000-200000 USD