William and Mary (1688-94), silver Crown, 1691, I over E in legend, conjoined busts right, legend and toothed border surrounding, GVLIELMVS. ET. MARIA. DEI. GRATIA, rev. crowned cruciform shields, eight strings to Irish harp, WM monogram in angles, Lion of Nassau at centre with eight billets, date surrounding, legend and toothed border surrounding, MAG. BR FR. ET. HI. REX. ET. REGINA., edge inscribed in raised letters and dated, +.DECVS. ET. TVTAMEN. ANNO. REGNI. TERTIO.+., 29.89g (Bull 821; ESC 82; S.3433). Attractively toned, some haymarking on obverse and re-entered G in legend, a little softly struck at centre as usual, graded by NGC as AU53.

NGC Certification 6674851-002

The Latin legends translate as on the obverse "William and Mary by the Grace of God," and abbreviated on the reverse as "King and Queen of Great Britain, France and Ireland." Additionally on the edge as "An ornament and a safeguard, in the third year of the reign."

The conjoined busts of William and Mary together appear on this, the largest silver coin engraved by the Roettier brothers, James and Norbert. The silver coins of this reign are unusual in that the date reads around the central device of the reverse. We note the silver output for the calendar year of 1691 was a mere £3,731 and would have been spread across Crowns, Halfcrowns and small silver, the second lowest of the reign.

Provenance:
Ex Saltford Coins, Bristol, purchased 12th October 2010.

Estimate: £ 1600 - 2000