George II 1746 LIMA Sixpence, struck from captured Spanish silver

George II (1727-60), silver Sixpence, 1746, LIMA below older laureate and draped bust left, legend with V in King's name and toothed border surrounding, GEORGIVS.II. DEI.GRATIA., rev. crowned cruciform shields, seven strings to Irish harp, garter star at centre, date either side of top crown, Latin legend and toothed border surrounding, M.B.F.ET. H.REX. F.D.B. ET.L.D.S.R.I. A.T ET.E., weight 3.02g (Bull 1757; ESC 1618; C&R 880; S.3710A). Attractively toned, extremely fine.

The Latin legends translate to on obverse "George the Second, by the Grace of God" continuing on the reverse in abbreviated Latin which if in shown in full reads "Magnae Britanniae Franciae Et Hiberniae Rex Fidei Defensor Brun Et Lunebergen-sis Dux, Sacri Romani Imperii Archi-Thesaurius Et Elector" and 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."

The coins provenance marked LIMA under the bust are all made from silver from treasure captured from the Spanish by the English Privateers John Morecock and James Talbot, Captains of the Prince Frederick and the Duke in 1745.

The story behind these captures is revealed in detail in the new book published by Spink "The Metal in Britain's Coins" by Graham Birch, where Chapter 9 pages 116-142 deals with the back story of the journey of silver mined and coined in Peru by one nation, subsequently captured and finding its way reminted into the pockets of the populous of another nation, the two biggest sea powers of the era.

Provenance:
Ex Collection of English Coins Property of a Gentleman, Spink Auction 126, 14th July 1998 lot 543.