Charles II Gold Guinea – First Reign of the Guinea – 1668

Description

Heading: Charles II gold guinea – First Reign of the Guinea – 1688

Denomination: Gold guinea (=20 shillings)

Period: Stuart

Date: 1668

Origin: Royal Mint. London

Condition: AF/Fine. may have been in a jewellery setting at one time but milled edge worn so is virtually imperceptible if this is the case 

Obverse: Third. laureate. draped bust. right. CAROLVS II DEI GRATIA. milled edge

Reverse: Crowned cruciform shields of arms with sceptres between. MAG BR FRA ET HIB REX. date

Size and Weight: 25mm. 8.19g

References: Spink 3342

Features and Provenance: The first guinea was issued in 1663. the name being derived from the source of the gold. Guinea in West Africa. Originally it was worth 20 shillings (=£1) but the rise in the gold price led to its fix at 21 shillings. It was demonetised in 1816 giving way to the sovereign. but the term guinea was still used in business. betting and the sale of rams! They are highly sought after coins.

Born in 1630 to Charles I. On the execution of his father in 1649. he spent the next eleven years devoted to regaining the thrones of England and Scotland from Cromwell. It was not until his thirtieth birthday and Cromwell’s death that he was able to gain the throne and restore the monarchy. being crowned in 1661. He is well known for his humour. gaining him the epithet ‘Merry Monarch’; he also had several mistresses. Nell Gwynne being the most famous. bearing him two sons. whereas his poor wife was barren.

Condition Summary. This varies with the age of coin and there are grades between

Uncirculated (U). As struck with no traces of wear

Extremely Fine (EF). Very slight traces of wear. all parts of legend etc present. visible and clear

Very Fine (VF). Some signs of wear on the higher parts of the relief. all parts of legend etc present. but maybe worn

Fine (F). Wear on the coin and parts of legend etc may be missing or not visible