5 Guineas - James II 1st bust

Features

Issuer England (United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies)
King James II (1685-1688)
Type Standard circulation coin
Years 1686-1688
Value 5 Guineas
Currency Pound sterling (1158-1970)
Composition Gold (.917)
Weight 41.94 g
Diameter 37 mm
Shape Round
Orientation Coin alignment ↑↓
Demonetized Yes
Number
N#
12949
References Sp# 3396-8,
Emma Howard (editor); 2021. Standard Catalogue of British Coins : Coins of England & the United Kingdom Pre-Decimal Issues (56th edition). Spink & Son, London, United Kingdom.
And 2 more volumes.
KM# 460
Tracy L. Schmidt (editor); 2019. Standard Catalog of World Coins / 2001-Date (14th edition). Krause Publications, Stevens Point, Wisconsin, United States.
And 5 more volumes.

Obverse

First laureate bust of King James II left, legend around.

Script: Latin

Lettering: IACOBVS·II· DEI·GRATIA

Translation: James the Second by the Grace of God

Engraver: John Roettier

Reverse

Crowned cruciform shields with sceptres bearing national emblems in angles, divided date above, legend around.

Script: Latin

Lettering: MAG· BR·FRA· ET·HIB· REX·16 88·

Translation: King of Great Britain, France and Ireland

Engraver: John Roettier

Edge

Regnal year in Latin

Lettering: QVARTO

Translation: Fourth

Comments

Spink identifies three varieties for this first bust type whilst Krause lists only two:

Sp#3396, KM#460.1 (1686 only) Reverse sceptres misplaced in angles, smaller crowns ;
Sp#3397, KM#460.1 (1687-88) Similar bust, sceptres normal, larger crowns;
Sp#3398, KM#460.2 (1687-88) Elephant and castle below bust, similar reverse.

The five guineas was struck at 8 9/10 to the pound troy, giving a standard weight of 1 31/89 troy ounce (647.2 grains).

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Date VG F VF XF AU UNC
1686  Photo $ 51 000 Sp#3396, KM#460.1
1687  Photo $ 21 000 Sp#3397, KM#460.1
1687  Photo Sp#3398, KM#460.2
1688  Photo $ 170 000 Sp#3397, KM#460.1
1688  Sp#3398, KM#460.2

Values in the table above are expressed in USD. They are based on evaluations by Numista users and sales realized on Internet platforms. They serve as an indication only; they are not intended to be relied upon for buying, selling or exchanging. Numista does not buy or sell coins or banknotes.

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Numista Rarity index: 97 Search tips
This index is based on the data of Numista members collections. It ranges from 0 to 100, 0 meaning a very common coin or banknote and 100 meaning a rare coin or banknote among Numista members.

Bullion value: USD 2757.36 Search tips
This value is given for information purpose only. It is based on a price of gold at 71 696 USD/kg. Numista does not buy or sell coins or metal.

Past sales

Pictures Sale Date Version Grade Sold price
Picture 1 of a sold 5 Guineas - James II (1st bust)Picture 1 of a sold 5 Guineas - James II (1st bust)Picture 1 of a sold 5 Guineas - James II (1st bust)Picture 1 of a sold 5 Guineas - James II (1st bust)
Heritage Auctions
2023 August 17 - 19 ANA World & Ancient Coins Platinum Session and Signature® Auction 3109
Lot 31175
Internet Archive
17 Aug 2023 1686 – Sp#3396, KM#460.1 AU
(NGC AU58)
USD 57 600.00
(incl. buyer's premium)
Picture 1 of a sold 5 Guineas - James II (1st bust)Picture 1 of a sold 5 Guineas - James II (1st bust)Picture 1 of a sold 5 Guineas - James II (1st bust)Picture 1 of a sold 5 Guineas - James II (1st bust)
Heritage Auctions
2019 April 25 - 29 Central States World Coins & Ancient Coins Signature Auction - Chicago 3073
Lot 31097
Internet Archive
29 Apr 2019 1686 – Sp#3396, KM#460.1 AU
(NGC AU58)
USD 43 200.00
(incl. buyer's premium)
Picture 1 of a sold 5 Guineas - James II (1st bust)Picture 1 of a sold 5 Guineas - James II (1st bust)Picture 1 of a sold 5 Guineas - James II (1st bust)Picture 1 of a sold 5 Guineas - James II (1st bust)
Heritage Auctions
2020 April 24 - 27 Central States World Coins & Ancient Coins Signature Auction - Dallas 3083
Lot 31078
Internet Archive
24 Apr 2020 1687 – Sp#3397, KM#460.1 UNC
(NGC MS60)
USD 102 000.00
(incl. buyer's premium)
Picture 1 of a sold 5 Guineas - James II (1st bust)Picture 1 of a sold 5 Guineas - James II (1st bust)Picture 1 of a sold 5 Guineas - James II (1st bust)Picture 1 of a sold 5 Guineas - James II (1st bust)Picture 1 of a sold 5 Guineas - James II (1st bust)
Heritage Auctions
2021 March 25 - 27 The Paramount Collection World & Ancient Coins Signature Auction - Dallas 3096
Lot 30308
Internet Archive
25 Mar 2021 1687 – Sp#3397, KM#460.1 AU
(NGC AU58)
USD 78 000.00
(incl. buyer's premium)
Picture 1 of a sold 5 Guineas - James II (1st bust)Picture 1 of a sold 5 Guineas - James II (1st bust)Picture 1 of a sold 5 Guineas - James II (1st bust)Picture 1 of a sold 5 Guineas - James II (1st bust)
Heritage Auctions
2021 October 28 - 29 World & Ancient Coins Signature® Auction 3093
Lot 33204
Internet Archive
28 Oct 2021 1687 – Sp#3397, KM#460.1 VF
(NGC VF35)
USD 21 600.00
(incl. buyer's premium)
Picture 1 of a sold 5 Guineas - James II (1st bust)Picture 1 of a sold 5 Guineas - James II (1st bust)Picture 1 of a sold 5 Guineas - James II (1st bust)Picture 1 of a sold 5 Guineas - James II (1st bust)
Heritage Auctions
2021 August 19 - 20 ANA WFOM World & Ancient Coins Platinum Night Signature Auction 3094
Lot 33204
Internet Archive
19 Aug 2021 1687 – Sp#3397, KM#460.1 VF
(NGC VF35)
USD 21 600.00
(incl. buyer's premium)
Picture 1 of a sold 5 Guineas - James II (1st bust)Picture 1 of a sold 5 Guineas - James II (1st bust)Picture 1 of a sold 5 Guineas - James II (1st bust)Picture 1 of a sold 5 Guineas - James II (1st bust)
Heritage Auctions
2020 November 5 - 6 World & Ancient Coins Platinum and Signature Online Auction - Dallas 3088
Lot 33139
Internet Archive
5 Nov 2020 1687 – Sp#3398, KM#460.2 UNC
(NGC MS60)
USD 156 000.00
(incl. buyer's premium)
Picture 1 of a sold 5 Guineas - James II (1st bust)Picture 1 of a sold 5 Guineas - James II (1st bust)Picture 1 of a sold 5 Guineas - James II (1st bust)Picture 1 of a sold 5 Guineas - James II (1st bust)
Heritage Auctions
2021 October 28 - 29 World & Ancient Coins Signature® Auction 3093
Lot 33205
Internet Archive
28 Oct 2021 1688 – Sp#3397, KM#460.1 UNC
(PCGS MS62)
USD 174 000.00
(incl. buyer's premium)
Picture 1 of a sold 5 Guineas - James II (1st bust)Picture 1 of a sold 5 Guineas - James II (1st bust)Picture 1 of a sold 5 Guineas - James II (1st bust)Picture 1 of a sold 5 Guineas - James II (1st bust)
Heritage Auctions
2021 August 19 - 20 ANA WFOM World & Ancient Coins Platinum Night Signature Auction 3094
Lot 33205
Internet Archive
19 Aug 2021 1688 – Sp#3397, KM#460.1 UNC
(PCGS MS62)
USD 174 000.00
(incl. buyer's premium)
Picture 1 of a sold 5 Guineas - James II (1st bust)Picture 1 of a sold 5 Guineas - James II (1st bust)Picture 1 of a sold 5 Guineas - James II (1st bust)Picture 1 of a sold 5 Guineas - James II (1st bust)Picture 1 of a sold 5 Guineas - James II (1st bust)
Heritage Auctions
2024 January 8 NYINC Platinum Session World & Ancient Coins Signature® Auction - New York 3113
Lot 31159
Internet Archive
8 Jan 2024 1688 – Sp#3397, KM#460.1 AU
(NGC AU55)
USD 50 400.00
(incl. buyer's premium)
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