Charles II 1673 Five Guineas, first bust, obverse spot removal XF Details

Charles II (1660-85), gold Five Guineas, 1673, first laureate bust right similar style with shorter ribbon ties, legend and toothed border surrounding, CAROLVS. II. DEI. GRATIA, rev. crowned cruciform emblematic shields, eight strings to Irish harp, emblematic sceptres in angles, four interlinked C's at centre, date either side of top crown, legend and toothed border surrounding, .MAG. BR. FRA. ET.HIB. REX., edge inscribed in raised letters, .*.DECVS. ET. TVTAMEN. ANNO. REGNI. VICESIMO. QVINTO.* (Schneider -; Bull EGC 176 R3; MCE 8; S.3328). With a pleasing red tone, some patchy colour and a small scrubbed area behind head, surface marks, about very fine, has been slabbed by NGC as XF Details, obverse spot removed with which we concur, very rare date.

NGC certification 2119539-010.

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."

The total gold output for the calendar year 1673 amounted to £119,852, one of the smaller totals of the reign.

The "Samuel King" Survey, "The Rarity of Five Guinea Pieces - An Analysis" co-authored by this cataloguer revealed a total of only 19 examples of the 1673 five guinea passing through the British market place in a 45 year period up until 2005.

Provenance:

Sincona British Collection, part one, Sincona Auction 72, 21^st November 2021, lot 642.