Description
Denomination: Silver shilling
Period: Stuart family
Date: 1702
Origin: London mint
Condition: AVF. pierced and indented
Obverse: Profile bust. left. ANA DEI GRATIA around VIGO below
Reverse: Cruciform arms. MAG BRIT FR ET HIB REG date above
Size and Weight: 5.92g. 25mm
References: Spink 3585
Features and Provenance: Anne came to the throne of England. Scotland and Ireland in 1702 on the death of William III. Under the Acts of Union. Scotland joined England to form Great Britain in 1707. She was already married to the Prince of Denmark but sadly due to ill health she had many miscarriages and none of her children survived her. The one bright spark in her life was her great friendship with Sarah Churchill (Duchess of Marlborough). she even gave her the much esteemed position as the Groom of the Stool! But this friendship was later soured and Sarah took revenge by being more than disparaging about Anne in her memoirs; Anne died at the age of 49 in 1714.
The history behind it is rather two sided too. The VIGO at the base of he coin refers to the naval battle of Vigo Bay against the French by an Anglo-Dutch fleet. After an initial failure. they were lucky to encounter Spanish treasure ships coming from America carrying gold. silver and important merchandise. The majority of the treasure was sunk but they were able to capture a good amount and the encounter was hailed as a great success back in England. However. the biggest losers were the poor traders in Holland and England that were expecting their goods. the Spanish lost very little. The captured silver was given to the master of the mint. Isaac Newton no less. and was struck into coins from 1702 with VIGO to mark the victory. This first issue was very limited and therefore rare. So impressed were the public. that Jules Verne even had Captain Nemo financing his submarine from the gold that was found on the ships that sank during the battle.
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
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