Lot 2244
Great Britain. Silver Crown, 1696. William III. S-3470. First bust. Edge not viewable in the slab but designated by NGC as "OCTAVO." Second year of issue for this king as sole ruler. An exceptionally choice, fully Uncirculated or Mint State crown which is among the finest seen by this cataloguer. The luster is classic of its era, slightly pebbly but nonetheless producing a cartwheel effect. The texture of the surfaces is also endemic of the late 1690s' silver-blank preparation by the Royal Mint. Ancient equipment originally designed for rolling and coining thin, light-weight coins was still being used, at the mint facilities which stood in the same place inside the outer walls of the Tower of London since the 12th century. Considering all this, it was something of a magical feat to be able to produce a coin of this size and weight, so impressively. This wonderful specimen is blessed by gorgeous silvery gold iridescence, a sharp strike throughout, and extraordinarily mark-free surfaces and rims. Two large lumps of die-rust may be seen in two of the open quarters of the reverse shield; these do not detract from either the appeal or the value of this crown. Here indeed is a numismatic classic, and a gem of a coin! NGC graded MS-64.
Estimated Value $2,800 - 3,300.
The Cheshire Collection.
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| Realized $3,450 |
