George II 1752 Guinea old bust, very rare date

George II (1727-60), gold Guinea, 1752, old laureate head left, legend and toothed border surrounding, GEORGIUS. II. DEI. GRATIA., rev. crowned quartered shield of arms, date either side of crown, abbreviated Latin legend, M.B.F.ET.H. REX. F.D.B.ET.L.D.S.R.I.A.T.ET.E, weight 8.38g (Schneider -; Farey 950; MCE 327; Bull EGC 615. R; S.3680). Executed using rusty dies, some contact and handling marks both sides, otherwise near or about very fine for issue, very rare date.

The abbreviated Latin legends translate as on the obverse "George by the Grace of God", and on the reverse as "King of Great Britain, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith Duke of Brunswick and Luneberg, High Treasurer and Elector of the Holy Roman Empire."

The calendar year output of gold was £572,657 for 1752 which was divided between guineas and half-guineas.

This coin has a saltwater patina across the surface both sides with associated surface marks perhaps caused by wave action. Therefore it may well have been once recovered from the ocean rather than waterlogged soil or a river and may well have come from a shipwreck recovery. Though we do not know the provenance this guinea would fit the profile of coins recovered from the wreck of the HMS Ramillies that sank at Bolt Tail off South Hams, Devon, on 14th February 1760. Originally built as the Katherine in 1664 with 82 guns, she was rebuilt twice, first as the Royal Katherine and later as the Ramillies from 1749 with 90 guns and close to 1,700 tons.