Lot 523
Anne (1702-14). Silver Crown of Five Shillings, Pre-Union type, 1703, VIGO. Below draped bust left, legend and outer toothed border surrounding, ANNA.DEI. GRATIA., rev. Pre-Union crowned cruciform shields, seven strings to Irish harp, garter star at centre, date either side of top crown, legend and outer toothed border surrounding.MAG BR. FRA. ET. HIB REG., edge inscribed in raised letters.+. DECVS. ET. TVTAMEN. ANNO. REGNI. TERTIO, weight 29.85g (Bull 1340; ESC 99; KM.519.1; S.3576). Toned, well struck with just a few tiny flecks and spots with a hint of adjustment on reverse, good extremely fine and on par with the finest examples available, rare thus. Value $20,000 - UP
The most intrepid of stories lays behind the capture of the Vigo treasure as opposed to the other companies or privateers who had their mark placed upon the coins in other reigns. The Battle of Vigo Bay occurred on 23rd October 1702 and it was after the Battle that the treasure largely of silver with a tiny proportion of gold, was captured and transported back to Southampton on the south coast of England. From there the treasure was brought with great pomp and ceremony to London, overseen by the Mint Master himself, one Mr Isaac Newton, to then be turned into coinage at the Royal Mint in the Tower of London. The treasure consisted of absolutely thousands of pounds in weight of silver, but a mere seven pounds and eight ounces of gold.
The Latin legends translate as on the obverse "Anne by the Grace of God," and abbreviated on the reverse as "Queen of Great Britain, France and Ireland," additionally on the edge "An ornament and a safeguard, in the third year of the reign."
Ex Spink and Son Ltd sold privately 1994. Purchased by Bruce Lorich circa 1995-96, USA. Purchased by Spink from Bruce Lorich at the New York International Coin Convention, December 2000. Purchased from Spink and Son Ltd, 12th March 2001.
|
| |
| Realized $60,000 |
