Great Britain, George II, 1751/0 Half-Guinea, 1 over 0 Extremely Rare, R5, Overdate, ex. British NGC MS 62

The Coin

This is an overdate variety of the extremely rare 1751 half-guinea. Bull (2020) gives the standard issue a rating of R4 (11-20 known) and the 1751/0 overdate – the only recorded overdate of the issue – a rating of R5 (6-10 known). There is no record of any example of the overdate having sold in over 20 years, and no sale of any 1751 half-guinea for several years. There was no 1751 half-guinea in the Slaney Collection and some top auction houses, for example Noonan’s in Mayfair, have no record of having ever sold a 1751 half-guinea of any variety. Clearly, this is an extremely rare opportunity to purchase a top-grade example of an issue very seldom offered.

Rarity aside, this is an attractive coin. There is just minimal wear; and a rich, earthy tone in bloom - especially so on the reverse. The King’s flowing locks, engraved by Tanner, exist here in a comparatively strong strike and can be appreciated far more than on most other half-guinea examples available to collectors. A subdued, lustrous sheen blesses the obverse, whereas the reverse features a fuller, satiny lustre. Moving the coin around in one’s hand is an absolute joy.

This extremely rare issue, made rarer still by its overdate, is seldom seen by any collector, let alone offered for sale. This is an opportunity of the highest interest to any collector of British gold.

The British Collection

This coin graced the illustrious British Collection, sold by the Swiss auction house SINCONA in two parts. The collection is one of the most complete and important collections of British coinage ever to exist. Assembled over 50 years of collecting with pieces spanning nearly six centuries and all of astounding quality, the collection sold for $5.8 million and stands as a momentous event in British numismatics, likely not to be bested for years to come.