Goldberg Coins & Collectibles Auctions    
       

       

                             



Sale 31: The Pre-Long Beach Auction May 30 - June 1, 2005
             

             
            Lot 2230Great Britain. Gold Half Guinea, 1689. William & Mary, 
            jugate busts. S-3429. First busts. Only year of this style, for the 
            portraits were re-worked a bit for the next issue of 1690. Very rare 
            as a type. Finding good-quality coins of this monarchy is 
            particularly difficult; nice half-guineas are rarer than the 
            admittedly rare guineas, twos and fivers, even though those 
            denominations are more highly priced. Not comparable to either of 
            the Terner specimens, which enjoyed a special sparkle, this is 
            nonetheless a most pleasing coin, having old toning, a nice single 
            strike on the portraits, and only a little weakness in strike in the 
            center of the reverse shield. What is particularly noteworthy and 
            important for collectors is this coin's lack of the metal-flaws, 
            poor edges and surface striations so commonly found on even the 
            nicest gold of this reign. In other words, this is a premium coin 
            with a light glow to its beautiful yellow gold. Catalogues for 
            £4,000 (about $8,000) in EF in the 2005 Spink price guide. We feel 
            that is about the value of this piece. NGC graded MS-60. 
            Estimated Value $6,500-8,000. 

            Provenance: The Cheshire Collection.
             Realized $5,000
             


          








Courtesy Ira & Larry Goldberg Auctioneers, Beverly Hills, CA. www.goldbergcoins.com