Five Guineas: George II (obverse); Shield of Arms (reverse)

Description

This coin was probably struck as a proof. Under George II the same denominations of coinage appeared as in previous reigns since the coinage reform of 1662. The elephant, or elephant and castle no longer appear on the obverse. In 1729 the initials E I C appeared below the head on some of the five guineas, and on the guinea and half guinea of other dates. These signify that the coins were struck for the East India Company, or from gold sent by that company for coining at the Royal Mint.

Provenance

Mrs. Emery May Holden Norweb (1895-1984), Cleveland, OH, gifted to the Cleveland Museum of Art (-1969); The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (1969-)

Five Guineas: George II (obverse); Shield of Arms (reverse)

[]

1731

Accession Number

1969.207

Medium

gold

Dimensions

Diameter: 3.7 cm (1 7/16 in.)

Classification

Coins

Museum

The Cleveland Museum of Art

Cleveland, United States

Credit Line

The Norweb Collection