Roma Numismatics Ltd
Auction XXVII 22-23 Mar 2023
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Great Britain, Stuart. Charles II AV 5 Guineas. London mint, 1670. CAROLVS • II • DEI • GRATIA, laureate head to right / MAG • BR • FRA • ET • HIB • REX • (date) •, crowned cruciform coats-of-arms around central design of four interlocked monograms; sceptres in angles. Edge inscription: DECVS ET TVTAMEN ANNO REGNI VICESIMO SECVNDO. SCBC 3328; KM 430.1; Friedberg 281.
PCGS graded cleaned UNC Details (#44032666). Very Rare; qualitatively one of the finest examples offered at auction in the past 2 decades, evidencing considerably less wear and far fewer circulation marks than most, with considerable mint lustre and red toning visible.
Acquired from Stack's Bowers Galleries (& Ponterio);
Ex Mark and Lottie Salton Collection, sold with original collection ticket.
After Charles I was executed in 1649, his son Charles II was proclaimed King of Scotland until 1651, and then King of England, Scotland and Ireland from 1660 until his death in 1685. He also had a claim to the crown of France and, although this was only nominal the four crowned cruciform shields on the reverse of this coin bear the arms of England, Scotland, Ireland and indeed France.
The obverse and reverse of this coin were designed by John Roettier, a celebrated English engraver and medalist. In 1661 Charles II invited him and his brother to join the British Royal Mint and they very quickly became the mint's chief engravers. The Roettier brothers produced a new Great Seal in 1666-1667 and later, the official coronation medals of King James II of England, King William III and Queen Mary II.
This coin is not only notable for having been designed by one of Britain's most celebrated engravers, but also for the context in which it was produced, namely against the backdrop of new trade with Africa which had augmented the supply of gold at a time when it was incredibly limited in Britain. Many coins in the year leading up to 1670 had an elephant and castle beneath the head to indicate that the gold was bought as a result of the new trade charter with the Company of Royal Adventurers of England Trading with Africa. By 1668 there was enough of the metal imported to allow for expanded production of gold coins, many of which were much larger. The finest were the five guineas, first brought into production in 1668 only two years before this coin was produced, making it a fairly new denomination.
Most interesting is the manner in which this coin was produced. The five guinea was one of the first examples of the use of mill striking as a new way to produce coinage, departing from the traditional hammer-striking method which was rendered obsolete around this time by the new industrial method. Charles II established a permanent machine-made coinage by employing Peter Blondeau in 1662, who pioneered the process of stamping letters on coins. By placing lettering on the edges of the coin prior to striking it the practice of clipping was largely prevented. Milled coins were far superior to hammered coins; although manufactured by a screw press powered by horses which meant that production was somewhat slower, they were perfectly round making it obvious if clipping had occurred. The present coin is therefore emblematic of the introduction of the revolutionary milled method of producing coinage.
PCGS graded cleaned UNC Details (#44032666). Very Rare; qualitatively one of the finest examples offered at auction in the past 2 decades, evidencing considerably less wear and far fewer circulation marks than most, with considerable mint lustre and red toning visible.
Acquired from Stack's Bowers Galleries (& Ponterio);
Ex Mark and Lottie Salton Collection, sold with original collection ticket.
After Charles I was executed in 1649, his son Charles II was proclaimed King of Scotland until 1651, and then King of England, Scotland and Ireland from 1660 until his death in 1685. He also had a claim to the crown of France and, although this was only nominal the four crowned cruciform shields on the reverse of this coin bear the arms of England, Scotland, Ireland and indeed France.
The obverse and reverse of this coin were designed by John Roettier, a celebrated English engraver and medalist. In 1661 Charles II invited him and his brother to join the British Royal Mint and they very quickly became the mint's chief engravers. The Roettier brothers produced a new Great Seal in 1666-1667 and later, the official coronation medals of King James II of England, King William III and Queen Mary II.
This coin is not only notable for having been designed by one of Britain's most celebrated engravers, but also for the context in which it was produced, namely against the backdrop of new trade with Africa which had augmented the supply of gold at a time when it was incredibly limited in Britain. Many coins in the year leading up to 1670 had an elephant and castle beneath the head to indicate that the gold was bought as a result of the new trade charter with the Company of Royal Adventurers of England Trading with Africa. By 1668 there was enough of the metal imported to allow for expanded production of gold coins, many of which were much larger. The finest were the five guineas, first brought into production in 1668 only two years before this coin was produced, making it a fairly new denomination.
Most interesting is the manner in which this coin was produced. The five guinea was one of the first examples of the use of mill striking as a new way to produce coinage, departing from the traditional hammer-striking method which was rendered obsolete around this time by the new industrial method. Charles II established a permanent machine-made coinage by employing Peter Blondeau in 1662, who pioneered the process of stamping letters on coins. By placing lettering on the edges of the coin prior to striking it the practice of clipping was largely prevented. Milled coins were far superior to hammered coins; although manufactured by a screw press powered by horses which meant that production was somewhat slower, they were perfectly round making it obvious if clipping had occurred. The present coin is therefore emblematic of the introduction of the revolutionary milled method of producing coinage.