LOT Heritage Rare Coin Galleries  /  2007 Jan New York World Coin Auction #425  / 

51632

Charles II Half-Guinea, 1669. S-3347. 1st laureate Bust

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money Start Price:5,000.00 USD Estimated At:10,000.00 - 12,500.00 USD
Charles II Half-Guinea, 1669. S-3347. 1st laureate Bust
<B>Charles II Half-Guinea, 1669. </B></I>S-3347. 1st laureate Bust with pointed truncation. Reverse features crowned cruciform shields, four scepters in the angles which form the field, and four interlocked C's in the center. First year of issue for this brand-new denomination; this first style was coined during only four years which immediately followed the horrific black plague and fire of London (1665-66). Catalogues in the Spink value guide for $3,450 (about $6,900) in EF grade with no value given for Uncirculated. Here is an exquisite specimen: MS63 PCGS, and a Terner Registry piece. Choice Uncirculated, possessing wonderful, bright satiny luster and having no marks at all but only the lightest sort of surface abrasion--this was a hallmark of all of the Terner coins, for he demanded pristine surfaces. The strike is why PCGS has not given this a higher number-grade. The king's hair is slightly soft, as is the French crest on the reverse. This weakness of detail is typical of Charles II's gold coins, however. This specimen is the finest 1669 half-guinea Dr Terner could locate in his 22-year search for great coins. Nothing better has appeared since, to the cataloguer's knowledge. Historically important. Very rare! Ex Bridgewater House Collection; ex Spink sale, Nov. 1997.<BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Coin/Currency (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
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