William III 1699 Five-Guineas, first bust, first year NGC AU58, edge UNDECIMO

William III (1694-1702), gold Five Guineas, 1699, first laureate bust right, Latin legend with pellet stops surrounding, GVLIELMVS. III. DEI. GRA. translates as "William III by the Grace of God" toothed border surrounding, rev. crowned cruciform emblematic shields, emblematic sceptres in angles, Lion of Nassau at centre, date either side of top crown, abbreviated Latin legend, .MAG. BR. FRA. ET.HIB REX. translates as "King of Great Britain, France and Ireland" toothed border surrounding, edge inscribed in raised letters DECVS ET TVTAMEN ANNO REGNI UNDECIMO, translates as "An ornament and a safeguard, in the eleventh year of the reign, weight 41.62g (Schneider 478; Bull EGC 394; King 134-5; Holloway 58; M.C.E. 169; S. 3454). Toned with some light marks and flecking, has been slabbed and graded by NGC as AU58, the first issue for the denomination in this solo reign.

NGC certification 2113951-046 - AU58 Tied for the second finest graded with four other examples out of 18 pieces across both services, only one other graded finer.

King Survey = 62 examples in commerce over the period 1960-2005.

The Latin legends translate as on the obverse "William the Third by the Grace of God," and abbreviated on the reverse as "King of Great Britain, France and Ireland."

We note that the total calendar year output of gold for 1699 = £141,377 which would have been used to produce Five Guineas, Guineas and Half-Guineas.

Provenance:

ex A H Baldwin, London, purchased Summer 2007.