George I 1716 Guinea, 4th head

George I (1714-27), gold Guinea, 1716, fourth laureate head right, Latin legend and toothed border surrounding, GEORGIVS. D. G. M. BR. FR. ET. HIB. REX. F.D., rev. crowned cruciform broad shields, incorporating the Arms of Hanover, ornamental sceptres in angles, garter star at centre, date either side of top crown, Latin legend and toothed border surrounding, .BRVN ET. L. DVX S.R.I.A.TH ET. EL., weight 8.37g (Schneider -; Bull EGC -; Farey 605; MCE 248; S.3631). Toned, some surface marks and patches, a bold very fine.

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

The calendar year output of gold coinage for 1716 was £1,057,543 which would have consisted of Guineas of two bust types and Half-Guineas. This was the second highest output of the reign after the preceding year, which may go some way to explaining why two types of obverse were used for the guineas.

The new edition of English gold coinage is in need of slight adjustment as only the third head proper is listed and the extremely rare variant of the fourth head with the Hanoverian arms at the date but without stating the bust type. Should the fourth head proper for 1716 be listed in future it would have to be A number 505A.