Great Britain, George III, 1773/1 Guinea, 3 Over 1 Highest Rarity, Unrecorded Overdate, Finest Known, Single Finest Graded, ex. British NGC MS 64

The Coin

This is an exceedingly special coin. A regular issue 1773 guinea in this condition would be exceptional in its own right as they are so seldom seen. However, this is an unrecorded overdate in a series where overdates or not all too common. Bull (2020) references two overdates for the 1773 guinea: 3 over 2, and first 7 over 1. Both are considered rare. This overdate is 3 over a misstruck 1. There is no record in literature or auction archives of such an overdate existing and as such this example is exceedingly rare and of the highest interest.

Visually, the coin is extremely pleasing. Lustre on a guinea of this period is a sight for sore eyes and this example has a hearty dose of silky, swirling shimmer. So frequently busts of this period are seen poorly struck. This is not the case here, with the coin featuring Yeo’s masterful bust struck full and proud. The grade of Mint State 64, fittingly awarded, is the highest ever gifted to the issue (overdate or not). It is worth noting that PCGS have no 1773 examples grade above an MS62. An extremely common problem with this issue is die flaws that pockmark the surfaces of even high-grade examples. Numeric grading does not take this fully into account and the example offered here stands out as a relatively unflawed example featuring clear and smooth devices. Absolutely choice.

Clearly, this coin is a wonderful opportunity to bolster any top- class collection or upgrade the standard of a collection that is just blooming. Coins such as these are worthy of the upmost attention and will take pride of place wherever they find their home.

Richard Yeo (c.1720-79)

Richard Yeo first came to prominence in 1746 upon his creation of the official medal for the Battle of Culloden. From 1749, he was assistant engraver at the Royal Mint under the great John Sigmund Tanner. In 1775, Yeo officially succeeded Tanner as Chief Engraver at the mint. However, as a result of Tanner’s failing eyesight and other health issues Yeo had been acting effectively as Chief Engraver since 1760 but without the appropriate pay. This was amended in 1768 when he was awarded £500 for past labours. Tanner designed and engraved British coinage as Chief until his death in 1779. Yeo was an extremely accomplished engraver producing several patterns and circulation issues throughout his career and his particularly fine style brought a delicate realism to coins of the period.

Yeo was also a member of the Incorporated Society of Artists (1761-91) and founding member of the Royal Academy of Arts. He exhibited his works at the Academy in both 1769 and 1770.

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.