Lot 2224
Great Britain. Crown, 1692. S.3433; ESC-83; Dav-3780. William and Mary. QVARTO on edge. Crown by James and Norbert Roettier. Obverse; Conjoined laureate draped busts of William and Mary right. GVLIELMVS ET MARIA DEI GRATIA. Reverse; Inverted die axis, crowned cruciform shields. WM monogram in angles, Lion of Nassau at centre, date surrounding. MAG BR FR ET HI REX ET REGINA.
Because of the shallow nature of the engraved portraits, most William and Mary Crowns are found in relatively low grades. This coin is in superb condition with practically no evidence of wear, and it glitters with much original mint lustre. There are light obverse striations, inherent in the production process (as is often the case) but all lettering is unusually well struck up. Lightly toned with a light pastel blue grey tone, this is an exceptional example of a rare and popular type coin. Current catalogue price is £8,500 (around $11,300) in XF condition, no higher grade priced. NGC graded AU-58. Estimate Value $8,000 - 9,000
*Mary II was born in April 1662 and married William III of Orange as a part of Charles II's foreign policy in November 1677 at the age of 15. She was the eldest surviving child of James II, and eventually she became a dutiful wife to the Dutch prince. They had three children, all of whom were stillborn. Her father's Catholicism and his too close an alliance with France caused Mary's husband William to challenge and ultimately overthrow James. William and Mary became joint monarchs, and until Mary died, their joint portraits graced the nation's coinage, an extreme rarity in the British numismatic series.
Mary was only 32 years old when she contracted smallpox and died in December 1694. She was more popular than her husband William, and the country mourned her passing more than her husband's eight years later.
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| Realized $8,700 |
