Charles II 1677 Five-Guineas, first bust, NGC MS61, the finest graded example

Charles II (1660-85), gold Five Guineas, 1677, first laureate bust right similar style with shorter ribbon ties, Latin legend with pellet stops surrounding, CAROLVS. II. DEI. GRATIA. translates as "Charles II by the Grace of God" toothed border surrounding, rev. crowned cruciform emblematic shields, emblematic sceptres in angles, four interlinked C's at centre, date either side of top crown, abbreviated Latin legend, .MAG. BR. FRA. ET.HIB. REX. translates as "King of Great Britain, France and Ireland" toothed border surrounding, edge inscribed in raised letters DECVS ET TVTAMEN ANNO REGNI VICESIMO NONO, translates as "An ornament and a safeguard, in the twenty ninth year of the reign, weight 41.68g (Schneider -; Bull EGC 186 this coin; King 100 this coin; Holloway 20; M.C.E. 15; S. 3328A). Some streaky marks in the toning, and the finest graded example thus far known, has been slabbed and graded by NGC as MS61, the plate coin from English Gold Coinage.

NGC certification 2113951-025 - MS61 Top of graded population tying with one other piece out of six graded at NGC. We also not none of this date graded by PCGS.

King Survey = 31 examples in commerce over the period 1960-2005.

The Latin legends translate as on the obverse "Charles the second by the Grace of God," and abbreviated on the reverse as "King of Great Britain, France and Ireland."

We note that the total calendar year output of gold for 1677 = £228,551 which would have been used to produce Five Guineas, Two Guineas, Guineas and Half-Guineas.

Provenance:

Ex Samuel King, Spink Coin Auction 173, 5th May 2005, lot 100.