George II 1738 Five-Guineas, young bust, MS61+, edge year DVODECIMO

George II (1727-60), gold Five Guineas, 1738, first young laureate bust left, Latin legend with pellet stops surrounding, GEORGIVS. II. DEI. GRATIA. translates as "George II by the Grace of God" toothed border surrounding, rev. crowned quartered shield of arms, different style emblems and crown band, date either side of top crown, abbreviated Latin legend, .M. B. F. ET. H. REX. F. D.B. ET. L. D. S. R. I. A. T. ET. E. translates 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," toothed border surrounding, edge inscribed in raised letters DECVS ET TVTAMEN ANNO REGNI DVODECIMO, translates as "An ornament and a safeguard, in the twelfth year of the reign, weight 41.87g (Schneider 561; Schneider dies 6/4; Bull EGC 558; King 166; Holloway 86; M.C.E. 283; S. 3663A). toned with some light surface marks, has been slabbed and graded by NGC as MS61+, a rare date in mint state grade.

NGC certification 2113951-066MS61+ So far only 19 examples have been straight graded across both services of this date with only three finer than this piece.

King Survey = 27 examples in commerce over the period 1960-2005.

The Latin legends translate as on obverse "George II by the Grace of God" and continues on to 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".

We note the official mint record of gold output for 1738 totals £67,284.

Provenance:

Ex Clarendon Collection, part two, Bonhams, 17th October 2006, lot 1638.