William III (1694 - 1702) Read about William III

 

 

Gold Guineas

 

WAu-7817:  1701 William III Milled Full Gold Guinea.  Second laureate bust with a proliferation of hair.  The milling on the edge of the coin was a safeguard against clipping which had been not just a thorn in the side of every hammered period, but rather a stake.  The practise of clipping officially ended with the introduction of milled coinage in 1662.  The Guinea was so named because some of the gold bullion used came from the country of Guinea, via the Africa Company.  It was a 20 shilling denomination, directly replacing the short-lived 1662 gold Broad of 20 shillings of the earlier Charles II.  The racehorse aficionados among you are probably crying out “21 shillings, 21 shillings!” but revaluation of a guinea to that amount took place in 1717 under George 1st.  Incidentally, there were times prior to 1717 where the actual value of a guinea (and remember, the value of any coin, guineas very much included, was entirely based on the precious metal content) was even higher than 21 shillings due to market fluctuations in the value, or spot price of gold.  Spink 3463.  Ex Morton & Eden (their ticket sold with this coin) for £2,000 hammer (£2,600 after commissions) in 2022, ex Spink.  No mount marks and really, a very nice grade example for a William III guinea.  £2,975

 

 

 

Halfcrowns

 

WCA-6396:  William III “Norwich” 1697 Silver Halfcrown.  A William III silver halfcrown struck at the provincial mint town of Norwich.  £195

 

WCA-5554:  William III Silver Half Crown – Love Token.  Samuel Rickman of Hellingly Park, Hailsham, Sussex.  Born 1781, and buried there on 31 December 1864 aged 83.  Hand engraved in early Victorian script, “SAMUEL RICKMAN” and “HELLINGLY PARK” (thank you to Guy de la Bédoyère for the research).  A Momento Mori.  Unusual.  £79

 

 

 

Maundy Silver

 

WCA-7232:  1701 William III Silver Halfgroat.  Tower (London) mint, 15mm, 0.97g, 6h.  ESC 2310, Spink 3551A.  Attractively toned.  Ex Hanson collection, ex King collection.  Sold with old auction slip and a collector’s cabinet ticket.  £115