Summary

Gold coin; Denomination: Half-Guinea
Royal Mint, London
Queen Anne (1702-1714)

In 1707 the Act of the Union was passed joining England and Scotland into a single realm, this coin was struck after that so the shields of England and Scotland halved and repeated twice. Before the Union each set of arms occupied its own shield.

The legend on the coin reads as a single title from front to back, it translates as 'Anne by the Grace of God Queen of Great Britain, France and Ireland". The current value of the Guinea was set in 1698 at 21 shillings and 6 pence it remained at this figure throughout the reign of Queen Anne.
The degree of wear on this coin indicates a long period of circulation or it may have been used as jewellry.

Obverse Description

Draped bust of Anne, left; around, ANNA DEI GRATIA

Reverse Description

Crowned shields - with arms of England and Scotland emblazoned per pale at top and bottom and Ireland and France forming a cross shape with the badge of the Star of the Garter at the centre; between the shields are four sceptres surmounted by an orb, thistle, lis and harp; around, MAG BRI . FR ET . HIB REG 1713, the date being divided by the crown above the English arms.

Edge Description

diagonal milling ///

More Information