Fellows to Auction Five-Guinea Coins Rich in History

Print

 

Lot Descriptions:

Lot 1 –Charles II, gold Five-Guineas 1677, regnal year icessimo Nono, first bust.

Lot 2 - James II, gold Five-Guineas 1688, regnal year Quarto, first laureate bust.

Lot 7 - George II, gold Five-Guineas 1741, regnal year Decimo Quarto.

 

 

On Monday 9th July Fellows will be holding their quarterly auction of Coins & Medals, featuring over 300 fascinating lots.

 

Three particularly interesting coins to be offered in this sale are lots 1, 2 and 7 – gold Five-Guineas ranging from 1677-1741.

 

The British Five-Guinea piece is one of the most spectacular and impressive series of machine struck currency ever produced. Weighing approximately 41 – 42 grams, this coin was also known as a Five-Pound piece during the 17th and 18th centuries.

 

In 1717 the value of the Five-Guinea was fixed at twenty-one shilling by the Royal Proclamation, prior to this it had a value of twenty shillings.

 

Both sides of the coin were designed by John Roettier, and it is the only gold coin to include an inscription on the edge.

 

The inscription reads:

 

‘DECUS ET TUTAMEN ANNO REGNI’, which when translated means ‘an ornament and a safeguard - Year of Reign’

 

Lots 1, 2 and 7 have auction estimates of £3,000 - £4,000 and will feature in the Coins & Medals auction on Monday 9th July at 11am.