The New York Sale
Auction 35 7 January 2015
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WORLD COINS, GREAT BRITAIN James II (1685-1688). Silver Crown, 1688. (S 3407; Dav 3779; ESC 80). In PCGS holder graded MS64, well struck and free from the metal flecking and striking weaknesses which usually plague this issue, delightfully toned in shades of blue and magenta. Scarce three-year issue and rare in such high grade.
This is the second and scarcer year of the James II second bust Crowns. James began his reign in 1685 upon the death of his more charismatic brother Charles II. James had become a Catholic in 1671 which dented his popularity considerably and led to attempts to exclude him from the succession. There followed the bloody rebellions of Monmouth and Argyll, and finally the invitation for William of Orange to take the throne in 1688. James fled to France where he was exiled, and all his coins remain rare in high grade.
The Millennia Collection (Goldberg's auction, May 2008) included two uncirculated James II Crowns, but these were both 1687 and 'only' graded MS62.
Estimate: $ 7,000
This is the second and scarcer year of the James II second bust Crowns. James began his reign in 1685 upon the death of his more charismatic brother Charles II. James had become a Catholic in 1671 which dented his popularity considerably and led to attempts to exclude him from the succession. There followed the bloody rebellions of Monmouth and Argyll, and finally the invitation for William of Orange to take the throne in 1688. James fled to France where he was exiled, and all his coins remain rare in high grade.
The Millennia Collection (Goldberg's auction, May 2008) included two uncirculated James II Crowns, but these were both 1687 and 'only' graded MS62.
Estimate: $ 7,000