Five Guineas: William III (obverse); Four Shields and Lion of Nassau (reverse)

Description

There were three types used on the five guinea coin of William III, who continued to reign long after the death of Mary. As hammered coinage was still in circulation along with the mill coins, the government decided to call in all the remaining hammered pieces in 1695, completing the reform of the coinage. This affected mostly the silver coinage. Gold was gradually reduced until the value of the guinea, when set against the silver coinage, was 21 shillings and 6 pence. The guinea finally settled at 21 shillings.

Provenance

Mrs. Emery May Holden Norweb (1895-1984), Cleveland, OH, gifted to the Cleveland Museum of Art (-1969); The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (1969-)

Five Guineas: William III (obverse); Four Shields and Lion of Nassau (reverse)

[]

1701

Accession Number

1969.202

Medium

gold

Dimensions

Diameter: 3.7 cm (1 7/16 in.)

Classification

Coins

Museum

The Cleveland Museum of Art

Cleveland, United States

Credit Line

The Norweb Collection