Lot 2250
Great Britain. Halfcrown, 1741. S.3693; ESC-601; KM-574.3. George II. First young laureate draped bust left, GEORGIVS II DEI GRATIA. Reverse; Crowned cruciform shields with roses in the four angles. Inverted die axis. Edge reads: DECVS ET TVTAMEN ANNO REGNI QVARTO in raised letters. A beautifully struck flawless mint state specimen with a stunningly attractive warm golden green and blue iridescent tone over virtually perfect surfaces. A magnificent example of this superb Georgian silver coin. NGC graded MS-64. Estimate Value $3,000 - 3,500
*This splendid coin was produced in the middle of George II's reign. In 1741 Walpole was nearing the end of his tenure and in the following year he stepped down as Prime Minister. George II's attempts to appoint a capable replacement proved problematic over the next few years. Control passed mainly to Henry Pelham, who sanctioned the funds for George's wars, but who was not an especially gifted administrator. In the end George was forced to consider William Pitt (the Elder) who had been a supporter of his son Frederick, and who had formed a clique known as the 'Patriot Boys', a kind of 'brat pack' of the 1740s!
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| Realized $3,840 |
