Baldwin & Sons
Auction 104 10 Mar 2022
View prices realized
► Sale information
Find similar lots
William III (1694-1702), Five Guineas, 1701, D. TERTIO, 'Fine Work', second laureate bust r., rev. Crowned cruciform shields, sceptres in angles, lion of Nassau in centre, wt. 42.52g. (S.3456; Schneider 480), Extremely Fine or better, bold strike on both sides, lightly cleaned in antiquity. Very Rare.
At just the end of the 17th. century, Isaac Newton's work at the Royal Mint changed from that of Warden to Master-worker, or Mint-master and as a man of science, Newton brought both more control and a more scientific approach to the operations of the Mint and generally modernised it - especially in its striking efficiency.
The first 5 guineas issued for William III are noticeable different from the issue of 1701 in that the king's portrait was shallowly engraved. Newton attempted to complete the transition begun during the Renaissance, of departing from the shallow style of portraiture of the monarch to one that suggested lifelike qualities. In 1701 he caused a portrait to be deeply engraved that the mint machinery could sufficiently heavily strike.As Mint-master, Newton's finest artistic achievement is, without argument, the deeply engraved 5 guineas of 1701, now known as the 'Fine Work' issue, and it has become one of the classics of British numismatics. His mark on English coinage and medals became indelible, and among his medals may be found exquisite images in high relief, but his greatest achievement was certainly the 'fine work' engraving of the king's portrait used in only one year, 1701, on the gold 2 guineas and 5 guineas. These are the ultimate numismatic images of the reign and rarely equalled as works of art in all the years that have followed.
At just the end of the 17th. century, Isaac Newton's work at the Royal Mint changed from that of Warden to Master-worker, or Mint-master and as a man of science, Newton brought both more control and a more scientific approach to the operations of the Mint and generally modernised it - especially in its striking efficiency.
The first 5 guineas issued for William III are noticeable different from the issue of 1701 in that the king's portrait was shallowly engraved. Newton attempted to complete the transition begun during the Renaissance, of departing from the shallow style of portraiture of the monarch to one that suggested lifelike qualities. In 1701 he caused a portrait to be deeply engraved that the mint machinery could sufficiently heavily strike.As Mint-master, Newton's finest artistic achievement is, without argument, the deeply engraved 5 guineas of 1701, now known as the 'Fine Work' issue, and it has become one of the classics of British numismatics. His mark on English coinage and medals became indelible, and among his medals may be found exquisite images in high relief, but his greatest achievement was certainly the 'fine work' engraving of the king's portrait used in only one year, 1701, on the gold 2 guineas and 5 guineas. These are the ultimate numismatic images of the reign and rarely equalled as works of art in all the years that have followed.