America's wealth is exploited by the colonial power. From 1566 the regular convoys of ships of the Flota de Indias transfer to Spain a wide variety of exotic products. Pirates are around the corner.
When war comes, these operations become even more hazardous. In 1702 an Anglo-Dutch fleet rushes to the bay of Vigo in Galicia where sailors are beginning to unload the boats. From a naval point of view the Anglo-Dutch victory was complete, but the bloody battle left many casualties on both sides.
The winners came a little too late: a part of the treasure was already in a safe place. However they manage to seize a significant weight of silver and a small weight of gold. The claim of King Philip V remains of course ignored by the English who transform the metals in coins.
Gold is very rare in England and depends on such opportunities. The coin of 5 guineas issued in 1703 is the highest denomination in the Vigo variety. It was produced in a very limited quantity. It shows the bust of Queen Anne accompanied by the word Vigo.
At that time the coins are milled, which leads to variations even for small quantities. For this operation, a difference between the two variants is the distance between the shoulder of the Queen and the inscription Vigo.
On February 9 in London, St. James's sells an example of the rarer variety. It is in remarkable condition for a coin of that time, graded AU55 (Almost Uncirculated) by PCGS with a sharp strike and a beautiful gold color. It is estimated £ 300K, lot 73. Here is the link to the website of the auction house.
SOLD for £ 275K before fees
When war comes, these operations become even more hazardous. In 1702 an Anglo-Dutch fleet rushes to the bay of Vigo in Galicia where sailors are beginning to unload the boats. From a naval point of view the Anglo-Dutch victory was complete, but the bloody battle left many casualties on both sides.
The winners came a little too late: a part of the treasure was already in a safe place. However they manage to seize a significant weight of silver and a small weight of gold. The claim of King Philip V remains of course ignored by the English who transform the metals in coins.
Gold is very rare in England and depends on such opportunities. The coin of 5 guineas issued in 1703 is the highest denomination in the Vigo variety. It was produced in a very limited quantity. It shows the bust of Queen Anne accompanied by the word Vigo.
At that time the coins are milled, which leads to variations even for small quantities. For this operation, a difference between the two variants is the distance between the shoulder of the Queen and the inscription Vigo.
On February 9 in London, St. James's sells an example of the rarer variety. It is in remarkable condition for a coin of that time, graded AU55 (Almost Uncirculated) by PCGS with a sharp strike and a beautiful gold color. It is estimated £ 300K, lot 73. Here is the link to the website of the auction house.
SOLD for £ 275K before fees
1703 Vigo Bay gold shipwreck coin rarity expected to bring six-figure amount in auction: https://t.co/gy1G53Rvys pic.twitter.com/pwDXHNuuBo
— Coin World (@CoinWorld) January 13, 2016
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