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Sale 53
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Lot 2603
Great Britain. 5 Guineas, 1706. S-3566; Fr-317; KM-521. Queen Anne, 1702-1714. After Union with Scotland. First bust left. Reverse: Second type, crowned cruciform shields with arms of England and Scotland combined, a Garter star in center, lettered edge reads DECVS. ET. TVTAMEN. ANNO. REGNI. QVINTO. Sharply struck example with lovely original mint luster. Rare thus.
Historical note: Virtually as struck, this mighty gold coin preserves the emblems of the Act of Union of 1707, shown here with transposed quadrants displaying the new insignia of Scotland's final alliance with England. For the first time, the French lis oppose the Irish harp (itself more dainty, more finely engraved, than previously), and the three English leopards are joined with the Scots lion. But the alliance was more than symbolic. This reign is remembered for its lushness, its wealth, for the years of Anne's monarchy were years of plenty when the nation's literary and artistic strengths could flourish, could produce a cultural renaissance which would come to be hallmarks of the nation. It was a remarkable change wrought in a relatively short period of time, for Anne was the daughter of a Catholic king, James II (his second daughter). The bloodless revolution was of recent memory, signaling the final demise of Catholicism in England and the end to centuries of religious strife. Anne saw the full establishment of the Church of England, of Protestantism and of religious peace throughout the nation. Much of the political accord of this reign came about because of the influence of the wise Sarah Churchill. Whig and Tory were constantly at each other's proverbial throats, but their strife was one of loyal opposition, not of subterfuge as in past reigns. Sarah's husband was a commander to whom the queen owed a great deal of gratitude (as he finished the military campaigns begun under William III on the Continent), and with his wife he exerted great influence on the queen. They remained friends for many years, even though the queen finally entered upon a bitter quarrel with him concerning her succession. All during these years, for England war remained distant, fought on foreign shores, and the homeland was vibrant long before peace finally came in 1713, just months before the queen's death, with the signing of the Treaty of Utrecht. Anne was about to pass into history, but her nation was about to embark on an entirely new adventure - that of being the dominant colonial power of the 18th century. Massive gold coins such as this one would largely perish abroad, in melting pots of other mints, but the influence of their wealth took the British around the globe, symbolically on the backs of the nation's solid gold. In a new NGC 4 prong holder. NGC graded MS-61, Our grade is a pleasing Brilliant Uncirculated, Prooflike example.
Estimated Value $25,000 - 30,000.
Ex: Eli Wallit Coll. lot 385. Morton & Eden 12/11/2003; The "Sylvia" Collection, through Mark Rasmussen by private treaty.
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| Realized $43,700 |
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