Heritage World Coin Auctions
NYINC Signature Sale 3030 5-6 January 2014
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Great Britain
George I gold Guinea 1714, S-3628, Prince Elector issue, 1st Bust, first year of type, MS64 NGC, exceptionally bold strike on both the king's long, flowing hair and the royal shield on reverse, lacking only the tiniest detail at the center of each (most known examples of this issue are rather flatly struck), perfectly centered on each side, with especially high dished rims, intense early 18th-century luster, really choice surfaces, and gorgeous reddish gold toning. This one-year type is known for its distinctive, fuller reverse legend which ends in PR EL, for "Prince Elector," whereas all successive guineas used ET EL ("And Elector") in the legend. When Queen Anne died, all of her children having pre-deceased her, Parliament was forced to select a successor and their choice was the Electress Sophia of Hanover (grand-daughter of James I), who would have been queen of England had she not suddenly died. Thus did her son become King George I of England as well as a Prince Elector of the Holy Roman Empire, a man of immense power and wealth. He spoke German all his life and only visited his English kingdom. The arms of Hanover were from this time forward included within the English arms. It was during this reign, in 1721, that the office of Prime Minister was created when the king turned over his governing authority to Parliament and its ministers. It was the first move toward a truly modern nation. The king's many titles appear in abbreviated Latin form on this coin, occupying both sides. Within a dozen years, the crown would pass to George I's only son, who became thoroughly English. A variety of lovely portraits may be found on the guineas of these first two Georges but none has more meaning as an historical "marker" than the famous Prince Elector Guinea. We believe this coin is tied with just a few others for the title of finest known Prince Elector guinea having the portrait struck in high relief. Ex Millennia (Lot 361), Jacob Y. Terner (Lot 153), and Bridgewater House (Lot 176) Collections. The original Bridgewater House collector probably purchased this at the mint in 1714. A fabulous provenance!
Estimate: 20000-25000 USD
George I gold Guinea 1714, S-3628, Prince Elector issue, 1st Bust, first year of type, MS64 NGC, exceptionally bold strike on both the king's long, flowing hair and the royal shield on reverse, lacking only the tiniest detail at the center of each (most known examples of this issue are rather flatly struck), perfectly centered on each side, with especially high dished rims, intense early 18th-century luster, really choice surfaces, and gorgeous reddish gold toning. This one-year type is known for its distinctive, fuller reverse legend which ends in PR EL, for "Prince Elector," whereas all successive guineas used ET EL ("And Elector") in the legend. When Queen Anne died, all of her children having pre-deceased her, Parliament was forced to select a successor and their choice was the Electress Sophia of Hanover (grand-daughter of James I), who would have been queen of England had she not suddenly died. Thus did her son become King George I of England as well as a Prince Elector of the Holy Roman Empire, a man of immense power and wealth. He spoke German all his life and only visited his English kingdom. The arms of Hanover were from this time forward included within the English arms. It was during this reign, in 1721, that the office of Prime Minister was created when the king turned over his governing authority to Parliament and its ministers. It was the first move toward a truly modern nation. The king's many titles appear in abbreviated Latin form on this coin, occupying both sides. Within a dozen years, the crown would pass to George I's only son, who became thoroughly English. A variety of lovely portraits may be found on the guineas of these first two Georges but none has more meaning as an historical "marker" than the famous Prince Elector Guinea. We believe this coin is tied with just a few others for the title of finest known Prince Elector guinea having the portrait struck in high relief. Ex Millennia (Lot 361), Jacob Y. Terner (Lot 153), and Bridgewater House (Lot 176) Collections. The original Bridgewater House collector probably purchased this at the mint in 1714. A fabulous provenance!
Estimate: 20000-25000 USD