© Heritage Auctions
© Heritage Auctions
5 Guineas - Anne pre-union shields; VIGO
1703 year| Gold (.9167) | 41.75 g | 37 mm |
| Issuer | England (United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies) |
|---|---|
| Queen | Anne (1702-1714) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Year | 1703 |
| Value | 5 Guineas |
| Currency | Pound sterling (1158-1970) |
| Composition | Gold (.9167) |
| Weight | 41.75 g |
| Diameter | 37 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Technique | Milled |
| Orientation | Coin alignment ↑↓ |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-09 |
| Numista | N#282661 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 97% |
Reverse
Crowned cruciform shields around central rose with sceptres bearing national emblems in angles, divided date above, legend around.
Script: Latin
Lettering: MAG· BR·FRA· ET·HIB REG·17 03·
Translation: Queen of Great Britain France and Ireland
Edge
Regnal year in Latin
Lettering: SECVNDO
Translation: Second (year of reign)
Comment
These coins were struck at 8 9/10 to the pound troy, giving a standard weight of 1 31/89 troy ounce (647.2 grains).Following a successful Anglo-Dutch expedition against Spain, bullion seized at the Battle of Vigo Bay in October 1702 was sent to be minted into coin, and the coins made from this metal had the word VIGO below the bust.
This five guinea piece is one of the classic rarities in the British series with fewer than twenty examples known from three different dies.
The five guineas was valued at 107 shillings 6 pence (£5 7s 6d) between 1698 and 1717, when it was devalued to 105 shillings (£5 5s).
Interesting fact
One interesting fact about the 1703 5 Guineas - Anne (pre-union shields; VIGO) coin is that it was minted during the reign of Queen Anne, who was the last monarch of the House of Stuart and the last British monarch to be crowned in Westminster Abbey.
