Charles II 1673 Two-Guineas XF40, last issue of first bust, unique date

Charles II (1660-85),gold Two Guineas, 1673, first laureate head right, Latin legend and toothed border surrounding, CAROLVS. II. DEI. GRATIA,rev.crowned cruciform shields, emblematic sceptres in angles, four interlinked Cs at centre, date either side of top crown, Latin legend and toothed border surrounding, .MAG. BR. FRA. ET. HIB. REX., weight 16.53g (Schneider -; Bull EGC 209 R7; MCE -; S.3333).Toned with a degree of wear to high points and associated surface marks and hairlines, has been slabbed and graded by NGC as XF40, the only known example of this date, not present in any institutional collection, unique.

NGC Certification 2124450-025 - the only one ever graded and therefore top (and bottom) of population.

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."

This date for a Two Guinea was unknown until the first appearance of this coin at the auction cited below in 2001 and does not appear in earlier references. It represents the last known date for the Two Guinea to carry this bust before changing to the later second bust from 1675 onwards. The gold output for the calendar year of 1673 totalled £119,852 which also included five guineas, guineas of two differing busts and Half-Guineas.

Provenance:

Ex Fritz Rudolf Kuenker, Osnabruck, Auction 68, 10^th October 2001, lot 2134.