© Heritage Auctions
© Heritage Auctions
2 Guineas - William and Mary
| Gold (.917) | 16.77 g | 32 mm |
| Issuer | England (United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies) |
|---|---|
| Ruling authority | William III, Mary II (1689-1694) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Years | 1691-1694 |
| Value | 2 Guineas |
| Currency | Pound sterling (1158-1970) |
| Composition | Gold (.917) |
| Weight | 16.77 g |
| Diameter | 32 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Technique | Milled |
| Orientation | Coin alignment ↑↓ |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-09 |
| Numista | N#12965 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 97% |
Reverse
Crowned quartered shield of arms with central Nassau lion, divided date above, legend around.
Script: Latin
Lettering: MAG·BR·FR·ET·HIB · REX·ET·REGINA·16 93·
Translation: King and Queen of Great Britain France and Ireland
Comment
Obverse die varieties:Sp#3424, Sp#482.1 (1693-94) Conjoined laureate busts right;
Sp#3425, Sp#482.2 (1691-94) Similar, elephant and castle below busts.
These coins were struck at 22¼ to the pound troy, giving a standard weight of 48/89 troy ounce (258.9 grains).
Due to the poor state of the silver coinage, much of it worn hamered coin, the Guinea,
which was valued at 21s. 6d. at the beginning of the reign, circulated for as much as 30s. by 1694.
Interesting fact
One interesting fact about the 2 Guineas coin from William and Mary's reign is that it was the first coin to feature the iconic "St. George and the Dragon" design on its reverse side, which has been a recurring motif on British gold coins ever since.
