Great Britain. Five Guineas, 1693. NGC MS62

Great Britain. Five Guineas, 1693. S.3422; Fr-299; KM-479.1. William and Mary, 1689-1694. Obv: Plain below conjoined busts of monarchs facing right. Legend reads: GVLIELMVS ET MARIA DEI GRATIA with toothed border both sides. Reverse has inverted die axis, fine detail, crowned quartered shield with an escutcheon of the Lin of Nassau with nine lozenges, ten strings to Irish harp, date at top, MAG BR FR ET HIB REX ET REGINA. Edge has inverted inscription in raised letters DECVS ET TVTAMEN ANNO REGNI QVARTO. This coin is very sharply struck with a beautiful prooflike quality, virtually full original luster, small tinges of old red toning and an overall eye appeal which is rarely seen even on the very best of these large gold coins. Pop 4 ; None Finer at NGC. NGC graded MS-62. Estimated Value $50,000 - UP
The so-called Glorious Revolution which witnessed the departure of the turned-Catholic King James II ended with the selection by the Convention Parliament of James' daughter Mary Stuart and her husband, the former Prince of a small European country. Designs, especially on the reverse sides of coins, were altered considerably from those of James II in order to demonstrate a break in the continuity of England's evolving history-specifically from the Catholic king to the new Protestants who ruled jointly. The idea of placing their images side by side may have been inspired by ancient Greek and Roman coins. In order to assert that royal Mary's husband would have the right of succession, his bust was placed in front of hers but her entire profiled showed. He was nicknamed "the little Dutchman" by the English public and he was welcomed as a result of his former military assistance in defending the nation against aggression and invasion. The dual monarchy, which had commenced in 1689, ended with the much-lamented death of Queen Mary in December 1694. From then until 1702, William reigned alone.
Ex Goldberg Sale 41, May 2007, lot 4517.