5 Guineas - William and Mary 1691-1694 front 5 Guineas - William and Mary 1691-1694 back
5 Guineas - William and Mary 1691-1694 photo
© Heritage Auctions

5 Guineas - William and Mary

 
Gold (.917) 41.94 g 37 mm
Description
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
5 Guineas
Currency
Pound sterling (1158-1970)
Composition
Gold (.917)
Weight
41.94 g
Diameter
37 mm
Shape
Round
Technique
Milled
Orientation
Coin alignment ↑↓
Demonetized
Yes
Updated
2024-10-09
References
Numista
N#12963
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 92·

Translation: King and Queen of Great Britain France and Ireland

Edge

Regnal year in Latin

Lettering: QVARTO

Translation: Fourth

Comment

Obverse die varieties:

Sp#3422, Sp#479.1 (1691-94) Conjoined laureate busts right;
Sp#3423, Sp#479.2 (1691-94) Similar, elephant and castle below busts.

The five guineas was struck at 8 9/10 to the pound troy, giving a standard weight of 1 31/89 troy ounce (647.2 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 5 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 remained a popular feature on British gold coins to this day.

Price

Date Mintage VG F VF XF AU UNC
1691  - - - - - -
1692  - - - - - -
1693  - - - - - -

Values in the table are based on evaluations by sales realized on Internet platforms. They serve as an indication only for 5 Guineas - William and Mary 1691-1694 coin.