George I 1720 Two-Guineas, with 20 struck over 17, NGC AU53

George I (1714-27), gold Two Guineas, 1720, 20 struck over 17, laureate head right, legend and toothed border surrounding, GEORGIVS. D.G. M.B.FE. ET. HIB. REX. F.D., rev. crowned cruciform shields, incorporating the Arms of Hanover, sceptres in angles, garter star at centre, date either side of top crown, BRVN ET. L. DVX S.R.I.A.TH ET. EL., edge, diagonally grained, weight 16.63g (Schneider -; Bull EGC 500 R; MCE 243; S.3627). Lightly toned with some red colour, some surface marks and flecks, has been slabbed and graded by NGC as AU53, the rarest date for the denomination in this reign.

NGC Certification 2130740-020.

1720 is the second of three years for the gold Two Guineas of George I, and the calendar year output of gold was £885,859 which was the third highest of the reign. Sir Isaac Newton was the Master Worker of the Mint at this time and was the first to officially call the gold coinage the "guinea" in a report made in the Mint papers of 1717. The gold coins had been called Guineas colloquially since the time that gold dust and metal began to be imported from the African country of Guinea, during the reign of Charles II.

In our experience the 1720 Two Guineas always as the 20 of the date struck over residual evidence of the 17 below from the previous occasion the denomination was issued in its first year of 1717.

Provenance:

Ex Dr Rolf Baumhauer Collection, part 4, Sincona, Auction 82, 15^th May 2023, lot 1733.