£32,000
AU 58 | GREAT BRITAIN. George II, 1727-60.
Gold 5 Guineas, 1729. London.
The East India Company (E.I.C.) 5 Guinea of George II is a rare and sought-after one-year issue. It follows the tendency of the Royal Mint during a period in time to display the origin of metal on certain coinage, such as for the "Elephant & Castle," "Lima," and "Vigo" issues of this period.
The EIC mark reflects the East India Company's significant role in British and world trade at the time. Chartered in 1600, the Company heavily exported silver to Asia, causing a consistent domestic shortage of silver coins during the 18th century. This was compounded by the Bank of England's willingness to delay recoinage of old coins, which gave it increasing control over currency circulation.
The E.I.C.-marked gold coins symbolise Britain's emerging global empire. As the East India Company eventually rose to account for half of the entire world's trade, it laid the foundations to the British Empire. The company grew to control vast regions of India with its own armies before its dissolution in 1874.
Obv.: Young laureate head left, E.I.C. below; GEORGVS·II· DEI·GRATIA· Engraver: John Croker.
Rev.: Crowned quartered shield of arms; M·B·F·ET·H·REX·F·D·B·ET·L·D·S·R·I·A·T·ET·E· Engraver: John Croker
Edge: inscribed with regnal year in Roman numerals.
In secure plastic holder, graded NGC AU 58, certification number 5880292-012.
Ex. Chalaza Collection, Spink auction 21004 (2021), lot 51.
NGC Census in this grade: 2, equal-finest graded.
Total NGC Census: 2
Reference: S-3664; Fr-333; KM-571.2; Bull-553
Diameter: 37 mm.
Weight: 41.750 g. (AGW=1.2297 oz.)
Composition: 916/1000 Gold.
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