Lot 896
Gold Coast (African). Ackey, 1796. Dav-35; KM-6. Plain edge. 15.86 grams. George III, 1760-1820. Crowned royal cipher of George within laurel wreath, date divided by crown. Reverse: Arms of the Company of Merchants Trading to Africa: divided oval cartouche bearing cornucopia, beehive, and sailing ship left, the whole surmounted by elephant with bannered turret on back; native supporters on either side, one with feathered crown and holding bow, the other with elephant-skin headdress and holding scorpion(?); FREE TRADE TO AFRICA BY ACT OF PARLIAMENT 1750. Sharply and fully struck, with mirror fields. Deep old toning - iridescent and multicolored when reflected. Rare and historical, among the finest known. The reverse design rendered with extraordinary elegance. NGC graded MS-64.
The Gold Coast is the earlier name given to modern day Ghana. In 1957, with independence, Ghana formally gave up the Gold Coast title. The Portuguese, the first western settlers of the area, applied the name for the large amounts of gold found in the area. The British, who didn't arrive until late in the 18th century, quickly made up for lost time by throwing the other colonial powers out.
Estimated Value $3,000 - 4,000.
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| Realized $8,913 |
