1690 Gold Guinea Coin William & Mary Fine

BullionByPost is proud to offer numismatic collectors a growing range of rare collectable coins, including this milled Gold William and Mary Guinea, in fine condition. This 1690 William III and Mary II gold Guinea features Conjoined Busts of William and Mary on the obverse along with the text GVLIELMVS ET MARIA DEI GRATIA (William and Mary by the grace of God) and a Crowned Shield of Arms, Lion of Nassau at the centre on the reverse, with the wording MAG BR FR ET HIB REX ET REGINA (Of Great Britain, France and Ireland, King and Queen). The actual coin is pictured and has light mount marks to the edge.

Just over 300 years ago England was ruled by the Dutch William Prince of Orange and Mary, daughter of James II. This period of the Monarchy was fraught with problems and internal fighting. However, the Protestant Prince had driven the Catholic King James from the English throne to stop an alliance with the French who were becoming powerful and threatening all Europe especially the Netherlands.

The joint reign lasted five years with the death of Mary in 1694. With such a short reign all coins of William and Mary are rare (actual coin pictured). Both William and Mary were grandchildren of Charles I.