Lot 2344
Great Britain. Silver Shilling, 1758. George II. S-3704. Old laureate bust. Plain angles on reverse. Final year of issue, and in fact almost the last year for the shilling denomination in the 18th century. Coinage would resume in 1787 but then cease again until 1816. Why? Specie came under speculative pressure as war with France approached, and the long Napoleonic War than spanned the end of the century saw a near disappearance of both silver and gold from circulation, as well as copper, and this ushered in the age of the token. It has been said but never proven that 1758-dated shillings were struck for years, and the same for 1787 shillings in the next reign. More probable is that both were saved, hoarded, as money in times of peril. Both dates are common, but their commonality ends at about the VF+ grade for the 1758, and AU for the 1787. This 1758 is a lovely and quite scarce coin, made of "hard luster" and clashed dies, once dipped but now a pleasing golden gray in color. The digit "8" in the date is recut, a small narrow "8" over another. Nice strike. Very affordable but a classic of its age. NGC graded AU-58.
Estimated Value $200 - 250.
The Cheshire Collection.
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| Realized $230 |
