MS60 | George II (1727-60), gold Guinea, 1733, second young laureate head left, legend GEORGIVS. II . DEI. GRATIA., toothed border around rim both sides, rev. crowned quartered shield of arms, date either side of crown, legend M.B.F.ET.H. REX. F.D.B. ET.L.D.S.R.I.A.T ET.E., 8.35g (EGC 591; MCE 309; S.3674). Toned with some light haymarking both sides, lustrous, graded by NGC as MS60.

NGC Certification 6134376-001

The Latin legends translate to on obverse "George the Second by the Grace of God" continuing on the reverse in abbreviated Latin which if in shown in full reads "Magnae Britanniae Franciae Et Hiberniae Rex Fidei Defensor Brun Et Lunebergen-sis Dux, Sacri Romani Imperii Archi-Thesaurius Et Elector" and translates as "King of Great Britain, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, Duke of Brunswick and Luneberg, High Treasurer and Elector of the Holy Roman Empire."

The gold output for the calendar year of 1733 was particularly high as all the old hammered gold was at last called in to be recycled into milled gold coins such as this Guinea. The total output was £833,948 worth of gold which was the second highest of the reign, only beaten in 1759.

Provenance:
Ex St. James Auction 5, 27th September 2006, lot 397.

(£2,000-£3,000)