English Coinage of the Stuarts Post-Commonwealth

[Deeman]

Anne

On 8 Mar 1701/2 a horse stumbled and the William III was thrown onto the ground. Within a few days he died. His successor was Anne, one of the more tragic figures in British monarchy. Of her 17 pregnancies, only one son lived beyond infancy, and even he had died at the age of 11 in 1700, two years before she became queen.

Anne was the daughter of James, Duke of York, the brother of Charles II. She was born in Feb 1665 and married Prince George of Denmark in July 1683, whilst Charles was still king. Prince George died in 1708 and Anne died on 1 Aug 1714, after suffering a stroke, at the age of 49.

From the outset she was motivated by an intense devotion to the Anglican church and dislike of Roman Catholics and Dissenters. She wished to rule independently, but ill health and intellectual limitations forced her reliance on her ministers.

The elevation of Anne to the throne created problems with some in Scotland who did not wish to see the end of the Stuart dynasty. Anne had no living children and was unlikely to see a further pregnancy, indicating that a non-Stuart family member might inherit the throne. This caused a rift in the political relations between England and Scotland.

Scotland struck first by declaring in 1703 that, if necessary, it would choose a king from among the Stuart candidates, regardless of what England did. London retaliated in 1705 by threatening to treat Scotland as a foreign country with onerous customs duties as well as revoking the right of Scottish workers or tradesmen to be in England without special permission. Scotland got the message and decided that an agreement to create a union of the two nations was the best solution in the long run. In July 1706, a special commission composed of members from both countries worked out rules acceptable to all. The agreement was duly ratified by the parliaments in London and Edinburgh and unification became a reality on 1 May 1707.

When Anne inherited the throne, the Royal Arms returned to the 1603 version. Following the unification with Scotland the Arms of England and Scotland were impaled in the first and fourth quarters, with the Arms of France in the second quarter and the harp of Ireland in the third. The English version has the three lions to the left.





Within months of her succession, another war in Europe had started (War of the Spanish Succession 1701–1714), which was to overshadow most of Anne's reign. The conflict arose in 1701 following the death of the last Spanish Habsburg king, the childless Charles II in Nov 1700 who, in his will, designated Louis XIV's second grandson as his successor. This led to a struggle for control of the Spanish Empire between his heirs, Philip of Anjou and Charles of Austria. The transition seemed to go smoothly at first, but in Sep 1701 the Grand Alliance of England, The United Provinces (Dutch) and Austria-Hungary was formed to prevent it and war broke out against the Two Crowns (France and Spain). The war started with a surprising Austrian offensive in Italy in 1701. Bavaria then joined France in Sep 1702 and Savoy and Portugal joined the Alliance. In 1704 France seemed well on its way to victory, but the Franco-Bavarians were crushed in the Battle of Blenheim and the alliance took Gibraltar.

John Churchill, Duke of Marlborough, was victorious in the Battle of Ramillies in 1706 which led to the allied conquest of the Spanish Netherlands. In 1708 the Grand Alliance was victorious at Oudenaarde and in the siege of Lille, and at Malplaquet in 1709. The series of military victories by the Duke of Marlborough strengthened England's negotiating position at the end of the war. Under the 1713 Treaty of Utrecht, France recognised Anne's title and exiled James II's Roman Catholic son, James Stuart, from France. The treaty also confirmed England's possession of Gibraltar.

To show the country's appreciation, Anne and Parliament gave the Duke of Marlborough land at Woodstock in Oxfordshire and built him a magnificent house, designed by Vanburgh, called Blenheim Palace. Winston Churchill was born there in 1874.

[Deeman]

Anne Coinage

No change occurred in the denominations of the gold and silver coins and the weight and fineness too of the gold and silver money remained unaltered. Coinage from five guineas down to the sixpence struck through to 1707 are termed 'pre-Union', while those struck later are called 'post-Union' because the reverse design changed to accommodate the revised Royal Arms following the union with Scotland.

The four small silver denominations from fourpence to one penny span both pre-Union and post-Union periods as there was no definitive design change after the Union. They were struck between 1703-10 and 1713, but not all four values were struck in each of those years. Complete year sets are 1703, 05, 06, 08-10 and 13. Only the penny has no varieties. Whether by design or coincidence, there are four versions of the fourpence, three of the threepence and two of the twopence.

No copper coins appear to have been struck for circulation with the exception of a 1714 farthing with Britannia on the reverse. It was probably in circulation for a short time before the death of the queen, which induced those who were in possession of the limited number already issued to hoard them as memorials of the deceased sovereign.

The coinage of copper had stopped under William III in 1701. Nearly £140,000 worth (equivalent to about 65 million halfpennies) had been struck after 1694 and this was considered sufficient for several years. By 1712, however, there began to be demands for further coinage and the Treasury took these requests under advisement.

Isaac Newton believed that the Mint itself should undertake to strike the necessary copper coinage. There were suggestions that the planchets be made outside the Mint, but Newton opposed this and decided that workmen would roll out ingots of copper to the proper thickness. The blanks would then be punched out of the rolled copper and struck into farthings or halfpence as was desired. To this end, Newton ordered that Chief Engraver John Croker prepare pattern dies and coins for inspection by the Court and Treasury; Anne would have been naturally interested in the designs of coins issued under her authority.

Undated pattern halfpennies and pattern farthings dated 1713 and 1714 exist. These were struck with artistic designs in accordance with suggestions made to the Lord Treasurer by the celebrated Dean Swift. Johnathon Swift was an Anglo-Irish satirist, author, essayist, political pamphleteer, poet, and Anglican cleric who became Dean of St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin. A 1714 farthing inscribed ANNA DEI GRATIA possibly saw limited circulation.

On 12 Oct 1702, during the early years of the War of the Spanish Succession, an allied British and Dutch fleet fought a naval engagement against the Spanish and French at Vigo Bay in Galicia (NW Spain). The fleet had earlier made a failed attempt to secure a maritime base at the Spanish port of Cádiz, which would have provided a foothold for conducting operations in the Western Mediterranean. Homeward bound, news was received that a fleet of Spanish treasure galleons from America and the West Indies had docked at Vigo Bay. They returned to Vigo Bay to attack the treasure ships. The engagement was a huge naval victory for the Allies. The French escort fleet together with the Spanish galleons had been captured or destroyed.

The Battle of Vigo Bay commemorative medal by John Croker.



Crowned bust of Anne. View of Vigo harbour with vessels burning inside, large ships lying before the narrow mouth of the harbour near a fort. Reverse inscription is CAPTA ET INGENSA GAL ET HISP CLASSE, translating to 'French and Spanish fleets taken and burnt'. In the exergue 'At Vigo, 12 Oct, 1702'.

The booty from Vigo was brought to the Mint in 1703. Despite the propaganda value of the British and Dutch victory the Spanish had managed to unload most of the silver before the allied attack. Thus, only a modest windfall of around 4,500 lb of silver and just 7½ lb of gold ever entered the Mint for coining. Coins struck from this haul have the word 'VIGO' below the queen's bust. The denominations are five guineas, guinea, half-guinea, crown, halfcrown, shilling and sixpence, all dated 1703.

From 1704 to 1707, the gold coinage was somewhat erratic and usually small as gold was generally in short supply. No two guinea pieces were struck. The short supply situation did not apply to silver.

The ratified agreement came too late to change the coinage plans and dies for the first part of 1707 and the Tower used the pre-Union designs first produced under Anne in 1702. Under Tower mintmaster Isaac Newton's careful directions, however, new designs were prepared for the reverses of the gold and silver coins (down to the sixpence). While the obverse design and the inscriptions on both sides were not disturbed, the shields underwent changes. At the top and bottom the shield has English and Scottish symbols sharing the space while the old French arms are on the right and those of Ireland on the left.

More gold was struck beginning in 1707 than had been for the earlier years of Anne's reign. A new denomination, two guineas, was introduced. Some of the gold guinea coins have an elephant and castle provenance mark below the bust on the obverse. None of the other gold denominations carried this motif, nor did any of the silver coins.

Under the Union agreement, Scotland's coinage was changed to align with the English coinage. The recoinage was undertaken in fulfilment of Article 16 of the Treaty of Union: 'That from and after the Union, the coin shall be the same standard and value throughout the United Kingdom, as now in England.' The English commissioners had proposed this, linking it to the adoption of English weights and measures. The Scottish commissioners had put forward their own proposal that 'After the Union the Mint at Edinburgh be always continued under the same rules as the Mint in the Tower of London or elsewhere in the United Kingdom'. This was incorporated in Article 16, its effect being to put the Edinburgh Mint on an entirely different footing from the temporary country mints set up for the English recoinage.

The Edinburgh mint opened for business on 22 Aug 1707. There were complaints from Edinburgh of delays in sending the dies and replacements for defective punches. More seriously, it proved impracticable to follow the Tower mint's method of alloying silver. Whereas the Tower furnaces were fired with charcoal, Edinburgh used coal, which gave a fiercer heat. To maintain the standard fineness of 0.925, Edinburgh's practice had been to add some grains of copper during pouring when the crucible was half-empty. The Tower mint alloyed silver to meet the requisite fineness. Eventually the alloying problem was resolved and all seemed to be going well with the output of coins rising in Nov 1707. The Edinburgh mint were producing crowns, halfcrowns, shillings, and sixpences. Production at the mint continued, peaking in Dec 1708.

The last output from the Edinburgh mint was halfcrowns and shillings in 1709, after which the Edinburgh Mint struck no more coins. London Mint officials were less than pleased with the expenses of their northern branch and, in due course, prevailed by having the Scottish mint closed to coinage.

Coins from Edinburgh are identified by the presence of the letter 'E' below the bust. The addition of a 5-pointed star was subsequently made to indicate a supplementary coinage. Some shillings and sixpences, in addition to the letter 'E' with and without star, have the 'Edinburgh' bust, characterised by the two top hair curls curling to the right. Although suitable tools to prepare the die for striking the Edinburgh coins had been sent up from the Tower Mint, permission was given to make some further tools locally in Edinburgh to engravers James Clark and Joseph Cave.

Format

Anne is presented in sections as follows:

Pre-Union gold coinage 1702-07.
Pre-Union silver coinage 1702-07 down to sixpence.
Post-Union gold coinage 1707-14 (includes 1706 pre-Union dated five guineas with post-Union reverse).
Post-Union silver coinage 1707-14 down to sixpence.
Small silver 1703-13
Patterns.

[Deeman]

Pre-Union, Gold Coinage 1702-07

Five guineas

The five-guinea coin was 0.916 fine (22ct), 37mm diameter. Struck 1703, 05 and 06.

The obverse depicts a draped bust of the queen left, lock of hair across right shoulder, with a circumscription, divided by the head, of 'Anne, by the Grace of God'. The reverse depicts the crowned cruciform arrangement of the Arms of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, emblem-adorned sceptres (orb, thistle, lis, harp) in angles to right of their respective shields, central rose, date flanking crown above English shield, with a circumscription, divided by crowns and continuing the queen's titles, translating to 'Great Britain, France and Ireland, Queen'.




1703 dated gold five guineas. Extremely rare.
Obverse inscription is ANNA DEI / GRATIA, pellet stops, VIGO below bust.
Reverse inscription is MAG / BR FRA / ET HIB / REG, pellet stops, ornamental sceptres.
Edge inscription is DECVS ET TVTAMEN (An Ornament and a Safeguard) then ANNO REGNI SECVNDO (2nd regnal year).




1705 dated gold five guineas.
Obverse inscription is ANNA DEI / GRATIA, pellet stops.
Reverse inscription is MAG / BR FRA / ET HIB / REG, pellet stops, ornamental sceptres.
Edge inscription is DECVS ET TVTAMEN (An Ornament and a Safeguard) then ANNO REGNI QVARTO (4th regnal year).

[Deeman]

Guinea

The guinea was 0.916 fine (22ct), 25mm diameter. Struck 1702-03 and 05-07.

The obverse depicts a draped bust of the queen left, lock of hair across right shoulder, with a circumscription, divided by the head, of 'Anne, by the Grace of God'. The reverse depicts the crowned cruciform arrangement of the Arms of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, emblem-adorned sceptres (orb, thistle, lis, harp) in angles to right of their respective shields, central rose, date flanking crown above English shield, with a circumscription, divided by crowns and continuing the queen's titles, translating to 'Great Britain, France and Ireland, Queen'.




1702 dated gold guinea.
Obverse inscription is ANNA DEI / GRATIA, pellet stops.
Reverse inscription is MAG / BR FRA / ET HIB / REG, pellet stops, ornamental sceptres.




1703 dated gold guinea. Extremely rare.
Obverse inscription is ANNA DEI / GRATIA, pellet stops, VIGO below bust.
Reverse inscription is MAG / BR FRA / ET HIB / REG, pellet stops, ornamental sceptres.

[Deeman]

Half-guinea

The half-guinea was 0.916 fine (22ct), 20mm diameter. Struck 1702, 03 and 05.

The obverse depicts a draped bust of the queen left, lock of hair across right shoulder, with a circumscription, divided by the head, of 'Anne, by the Grace of God'. The reverse depicts the crowned cruciform arrangement of the Arms of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, emblem-adorned sceptres (orb, thistle, lis, harp) in angles to right of their respective shields, central rose, date flanking crown above English shield, with a circumscription, divided by crowns and continuing the queen's titles, translating to 'Great Britain, France and Ireland, Queen'.




1703 dated gold half-guinea. Extremely rare.
Obverse inscription is ANNA DEI / GRATIA, pellet stops, VIGO below bust.
Reverse inscription is MAG / BR FRA / ET HIB / REG, pellet stops, ornamental sceptres.




1705 dated gold half-guinea.
Obverse inscription is ANNA DEI / GRATIA, pellet stops.
Reverse inscription is MAG / BR FRA / ET HIB / REG, pellet stops, ornamental sceptres.

[Deeman]

Pre-Union, Silver Coinage 1702-07

Crown

The crown was 39mm diameter. Struck 1703 and 05-07.

The obverse depicts a draped bust of the queen left with a circumscription, divided by the head, of 'Anne, by the Grace of God'. The reverse depicts the crowned cruciform arrangement of the Arms of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, Garter star at centre, date flanking crown above English shield, with a circumscription, divided by crowns and continuing the queen's titles, translating to 'Great Britain, France and Ireland, Queen'.




1703 dated crown.
Obverse inscription is ANNA DEI / GRATIA, pellet stops, VIGO below bust.
Reverse inscription is MAG / BR FRA / ET HIB / REG, pellet stops.
Edge inscription is DECVS ET TVTAMEN (An Ornament and a Safeguard) then ANNO REGNI TERTIO (3rd regnal year).




1705 dated crown.
Obverse inscription is ANNA DEI / GRATIA, pellet stops.
Reverse inscription is MAG / BR FRA / ET HIB / REG, pellet stops, plumes in angles.
Edge inscription is DECVS ET TVTAMEN (An Ornament and a Safeguard) then ANNO REGNI QVINTO (5th regnal year).




1707 dated crown. Also struck 1706.
Obverse inscription is ANNA DEI / GRATIA, pellet stops.
Reverse inscription is MAG / BR FRA / ET HIB / REG, pellet stops, roses and plumes in angles.
Edge inscription is DECVS ET TVTAMEN (An Ornament and a Safeguard) then ANNO REGNI SEXTO (6th regnal year).

[Deeman]

Halfcrown

The halfcrown was 33mm diameter. Struck 1703-07.

The obverse depicts a draped bust of the queen left with a circumscription, divided by the head, of 'Anne, by the Grace of God'. The reverse depicts the crowned cruciform arrangement of the Arms of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, Garter star at centre, date flanking crown above English shield, with a circumscription, divided by crowns and continuing the queen's titles, translating to 'Great Britain, France and Ireland, Queen'.




1703 dated halfcrown.
Obverse inscription is ANNA DEI / GRATIA, pellet stops.
Reverse inscription is MAG / BR FRA / ET HIB / REG, pellet stops.
Edge inscription is DECVS ET TVTAMEN (An Ornament and a Safeguard) then ANNO REGNI TERTIO (3rd regnal year).




1703 dated halfcrown.
Obverse inscription is ANNA DEI / GRATIA, pellet stops, VIGO below bust.
Reverse inscription is MAG / BR FRA / ET HIB / REG, pellet stops.
Edge inscription is DECVS ET TVTAMEN (An Ornament and a Safeguard) then ANNO REGNI TERTIO (3rd regnal year).




1705 dated halfcrown. Also struck 1704.
Obverse inscription is ANNA DEI / GRATIA, pellet stops.
Reverse inscription is MAG / BR FRA / ET HIB / REG, pellet stops, plumes in angles.
Edge inscription is DECVS ET TVTAMEN (An Ornament and a Safeguard) then ANNO REGNI QVINTO (5th regnal year).




1706 dated halfcrown. Also struck 1707.
Obverse inscription is ANNA DEI / GRATIA, pellet stops.
Reverse inscription is MAG / BR FRA / ET HIB / REG, pellet stops, roses and plumes in angles.
Edge inscription is DECVS ET TVTAMEN (An Ornament and a Safeguard) then ANNO REGNI QVINTO (5th regnal year).

[Deeman]

Shilling

The shilling was 25mm diameter. Struck 1702 first bust and 1703-05 & 07 second bust.

The obverse depicts a draped bust of the queen left with a circumscription, divided by the head, of 'Anne, by the Grace of God'. The reverse depicts the crowned cruciform arrangement of the Arms of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, Garter star at centre, date flanking crown above English shield, with a circumscription, divided by crowns and continuing the queen's titles, translating to 'Great Britain, France and Ireland, Queen'.




1702 dated shilling, first bust.
Obverse inscription is ANNA DEI / GRATIA, pellet stops.
Reverse inscription is MAG / BR FRA / ET HIB / REG, pellet stops.




1702 dated shilling, first bust.
Obverse inscription is ANNA DEI / GRATIA, pellet stops.
Reverse inscription is MAG / BR FRA / ET HIB / REG, pellet stops, plumes in angles.




1702 dated shilling, first bust.
Obverse inscription is ANNA DEI / GRATIA, pellet stops, VIGO below bust.
Reverse inscription is MAG / BR FRA / ET HIB / REG, pellet stops.




1703 dated shilling, second bust.
Obverse inscription is ANNA DEI / GRATIA, pellet stops, VIGO below bust.
Reverse inscription is MAG / BR FRA / ET HIB / REG, pellet stops.




1704 dated shilling, second bust. Also struck 1705.
Obverse inscription is ANNA DEI / GRATIA, pellet stops.
Reverse inscription is MAG / BR FRA / ET HIB / REG, pellet stops.




1705 dated shilling, second bust. Also struck 1704.
Obverse inscription is ANNA DEI / GRATIA, pellet stops.
Reverse inscription is MAG / BR FRA / ET HIB / REG, pellet stops, plumes in angles.




1707 dated shilling, second bust. Also struck 1705.
Obverse inscription is ANNA DEI / GRATIA, pellet stops.
Reverse inscription is MAG / BR FRA / ET HIB / REG, pellet stops, roses and plumes in angles.

[Deeman]

Sixpence

The sixpence was 21mm diameter. Struck 1703, 05 and 07.

The obverse depicts a draped bust of the queen left with a circumscription, divided by the head, of 'Anne, by the Grace of God'. The reverse depicts the crowned cruciform arrangement of the Arms of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, Garter star at centre, date flanking crown above English shield, with a circumscription, divided by crowns and continuing the queen's titles, translating to 'Great Britain, France and Ireland, Queen'.




1703 dated sixpence.
Obverse inscription is ANNA DEI / GRATIA, pellet stops, VIGO below bust.
Reverse inscription is MAG / BR FRA / ET HIB / REG, pellet stops.




1705 dated sixpence.
Obverse inscription is ANNA DEI / GRATIA, pellet stops.
Reverse inscription is MAG / BR FRA / ET HIB / REG, pellet stops.




1705 dated sixpence.
Obverse inscription is ANNA DEI / GRATIA, pellet stops.
Reverse inscription is MAG / BR FRA / ET HIB / REG, pellet stops, plumes in angles, early shields (indented).




1705 dated sixpence.
Obverse inscription is ANNA DEI / GRATIA, pellet stops.
Reverse inscription is MAG / BR FRA / ET HIB / REG, pellet stops, plumes in angles, late shields (pointed).




1707 dated sixpence. Also struck 1705.
Obverse inscription is ANNA DEI / GRATIA, pellet stops.
Reverse inscription is MAG / BR FRA / ET HIB / REG, pellet stops, roses and plumes in angles.

[Deeman]

Post-Union, Gold Coinage 1707-14

Five guineas

The five-guinea coin was 0.916 fine (22ct), 37mm diameter. Struck 1706, 09, 11, 13 and 14.

The obverse depicts a draped bust of the queen left, lock of hair across right shoulder, with a circumscription, divided by the head, of 'Anne, by the Grace of God'. The reverse depicts the crowned cruciform arrangement of the Arms of Union, France, Union again and Ireland clockwise, emblem-adorned sceptres in angles in the order of orb, thistle, lis and harp commencing clockwise from 1:30, Garter star at centre, date flanking crown above top Union shield, with a circumscription, divided by crowns and continuing the queen's titles, translating to 'Great Britain, France and Ireland, Queen'.




1706 pre-Union dated gold five guineas with post-Union reverse.
Obverse inscription is ANNA DEI / GRATIA, pellet stops.
Reverse inscription is MAG / BRI FR / ET HIB / REG, pellet stops, ornamental sceptres.
Edge inscription is DECVS ET TVTAMEN (An Ornament and a Safeguard) then ANNO REGNI QVINTO (5th regnal year).




1709 dated gold five guineas.
Obverse inscription is ANNA DEI / GRATIA, pellet stops.
Reverse inscription is MAG / BRI FR / ET HIB / REG, pellet stops, narrow crowns, ornamental sceptres.
Edge inscription is DECVS ET TVTAMEN (An Ornament and a Safeguard) then ANNO REGNI OCTAVO (8th regnal year).




1711 dated gold five guineas, new bust.
Obverse inscription is ANNA DEI / GRATIA, pellet stops.
Reverse inscription is MAG / BRI FR / ET HIB / REG, pellet stops, ornamental sceptres.
Edge inscription is DECVS ET TVTAMEN (An Ornament and a Safeguard) then ANNO REGNI DECIMO (10th regnal year).

[Deeman]

Two guineas

The two-guinea coin was 0.916 fine (22ct), 32mm diameter. Struck 1709, 11, 13 and 14.

The obverse depicts a draped bust of the queen left, lock of hair across right shoulder, with a circumscription, divided by the head, of 'Anne, by the Grace of God'. The reverse depicts the crowned cruciform arrangement of the Arms of Union, France, Union again and Ireland clockwise, emblem-adorned sceptres in angles in the order of orb, thistle, lis and harp commencing clockwise from 1:30, Garter star at centre, date flanking crown above top Union shield, with a circumscription, divided by crowns and continuing the queen's titles, translating to 'Great Britain, France and Ireland, Queen'.



1711 dated gold two guineas.
Obverse inscription is ANNA DEI / GRATIA, pellet stops.
Reverse inscription is MAG / BRI FR / ET HIB / REG, pellet stops, plain sceptres.

[Deeman]

Guinea

The guinea was 0.916 fine (22ct), 25mm diameter. Struck 1707-08 first bust, 1707-09 second bust and 1710-14 third bust (differs from second bust in facial profile and eye).

The obverse depicts a draped bust of the queen left, lock of hair across right shoulder, with a circumscription, divided by the head, of 'Anne, by the Grace of God'. The reverse depicts the crowned cruciform arrangement of the Arms of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, emblem-adorned sceptres (orb, thistle, lis, harp) in angles to right of their respective shields, central rose, date flanking crown above English shield, with a circumscription, divided by crowns and continuing the queen's titles, translating to 'Great Britain, France and Ireland, Queen'.




1707 dated gold guinea, first bust.
Obverse inscription is ANNA DEI / GRATIA, pellet stops.
Reverse inscription is MAG / BRI FR / ET HIB / REG, pellet stops, ornamental sceptres.




1709 dated gold guinea, second bust.
Obverse inscription is ANNA DEI / GRATIA, pellet stops.
Reverse inscription is MAG / BRI FR / ET HIB / REG, pellet stops, ornamental sceptres.




1709 dated gold guinea, second bust.
Obverse inscription is ANNA DEI / GRATIA, pellet stops, elephant and castle below bust.
Reverse inscription is MAG / BRI FR / ET HIB / REG, pellet stops, ornamental sceptres.

There is also a first bust guinea with elephant and castle below bust.




1713 dated gold guinea, third bust.
Obverse inscription is ANNA DEI / GRATIA, pellet stops.
Reverse inscription is MAG / BRI FR / ET HIB / REG, pellet stops, ornamental sceptres.

[Deeman]

Half-guinea

The half-guinea was 0.916 fine (22ct), 20mm diameter. Struck 1707-14.

The obverse depicts a draped bust of the queen left, lock of hair across right shoulder, with a circumscription, divided by the head, of 'Anne, by the Grace of God'. The reverse depicts the crowned cruciform arrangement of the Arms of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, emblem-adorned sceptres (orb, thistle, lis, harp) in angles to right of their respective shields, central rose, date flanking crown above English shield, with a circumscription, divided by crowns and continuing the queen's titles, translating to 'Great Britain, France and Ireland, Queen'.



1713 dated gold half-guinea.
Obverse inscription is ANNA DEI / GRATIA, pellet stops.
Reverse inscription is MAG / BRI FR / ET HIB / REG, pellet stops, ornamental sceptres.

[Deeman]

Crown

The crown was 39mm diameter. Struck 1707, 08 and 13.

The obverse depicts a draped bust of the queen left with a circumscription, divided by the head, of 'Anne, by the Grace of God'. The reverse depicts the crowned cruciform arrangement of the Arms of Union, France, Union again and Ireland clockwise, Garter star at centre, date flanking crown above top Union shield, with a circumscription, divided by crowns and continuing the queen's titles, translating to 'Great Britain, France and Ireland, Queen'.




1707 dated crown, second bust, Edinburgh Mint. Also struck 1708.
Obverse inscription is ANNA DEI / GRATIA, pellet stops, 'E' below bust.
Reverse inscription is MAG / BRI FR / ET HIB / REG, pellet stops.
Edge inscription is DECVS ET TVTAMEN (An Ornament and a Safeguard) then ANNO REGNI SEXTO or SEPTIMO (6th or 7th regnal year).




1707 dated crown, second bust. Also struck 1708.
Obverse inscription is ANNA DEI / GRATIA, pellet stops.
Reverse inscription is MAG / BRI FR / ET HIB / REG, pellet stops.
Edge inscription is DECVS ET TVTAMEN (An Ornament and a Safeguard) then ANNO REGNI SEPTIMO (7th regnal year).




1708 dated crown, second bust.
Obverse inscription is ANNA DEI / GRATIA, pellet stops.
Reverse inscription is MAG / BRI FR / ET HIB / REG, pellet stops, plumes in angles.
Edge inscription is DECVS ET TVTAMEN (An Ornament and a Safeguard) then ANNO REGNI SEPTIMO (7th regnal year).




1713 dated crown, third bust.
Obverse inscription is ANNA DEI / GRATIA, pellet stops.
Reverse inscription is MAG / BRI FR / ET HIB / REG, pellet stops, roses and plumes in angles.
Edge inscription is DECVS ET TVTAMEN (An Ornament and a Safeguard) then ANNO REGNI DVODECIMO (12th regnal year).

[Deeman]

Halfcrown

The halfcrown was 33mm diameter. Struck 1707-09 and 11-14.

The obverse depicts a draped bust of the queen left with a circumscription, divided by the head, of 'Anne, by the Grace of God'. The reverse depicts the crowned cruciform arrangement of the Arms of Union, France, Union again and Ireland clockwise, Garter star at centre, date flanking crown above top Union shield, with a circumscription, divided by crowns and continuing the queen's titles, translating to 'Great Britain, France and Ireland, Queen'.




1707 dated halfcrown, Edinburgh Mint. Also struck 1708 and 09.
Obverse inscription is ANNA DEI / GRATIA, pellet stops, 'E' below bust.
Reverse inscription is MAG / BRI FR / ET HIB / REG, pellet stops.
Edge inscription is DECVS ET TVTAMEN (An Ornament and a Safeguard) then ANNO REGNI SEXTO or SEPTIMO (6th or 7th regnal year).




1707 dated halfcrown. Also struck 1708, 09 and 13.
Obverse inscription is ANNA DEI / GRATIA, pellet stops.
Reverse inscription is MAG / BRI FR / ET HIB / REG, pellet stops.
Edge inscription is DECVS ET TVTAMEN (An Ornament and a Safeguard) then ANNO REGNI SEPTIMO (7th regnal year).




1708 dated halfcrown.
Obverse inscription is ANNA DEI / GRATIA, pellet stops.
Reverse inscription is MAG / BRI FR / ET HIB / REG, pellet stops, plumes in angles.
Edge inscription is DECVS ET TVTAMEN (An Ornament and a Safeguard) then ANNO REGNI SEPTIMO (7th regnal year).




1712 dated halfcrown. Also struck 1710, 13 and 14.
Obverse inscription is ANNA DEI / GRATIA, pellet stops.
Reverse inscription is MAG / BRI FR / ET HIB / REG, pellet stops, roses and plumes in angles.
Edge inscription is DECVS ET TVTAMEN (An Ornament and a Safeguard) then ANNO REGNI UNDECIMO (11th regnal year).