Great Britain. 5 Guineas, 1717. S.3626; Fr-325; KM-547. George I, 1714-1727. Obverse: Laureate head right. Reverse; Crowned cruciform shields, scepters in angles. Inverted 'D' on edge. Regnal year (TERTIO) on edge in raised letters. An exceptionally choice-looking piece with a sharp strike showing nearly complete hair detail, surfaces that glitter with proof-like fields on both sides. Extremely rare in this grade. among the finest known examples of this impressive, large gold type. Pop 1; Finest example graded by both PCGS and NGC. NGC graded MS-63. Estimated Value $100,000 - UP
George I was born in 1660 and his parents were the Elector of Hanover and Sophia, the granddaughter of King James I of England (James VI of Scotland). He came to the English throne because Parliament preferred him to James Edward Stuart - the half-bother of Queen Anne. He could not however speak English and spent over half his reign in Germany. Ironically, he kept England at peace for the whole of his reign.