NGC-certified Gold Guineas Expected to Realize Six Figures in London Sale

Baldwin’s of St. James is offering two spectacular English gold guineas certified by Numismatic Guaranty Corporation® (NGC®) in a London sale being held on April 14, 2021.

The top lot is a gold England 1675 5 Guineas Elephant graded NGC MS 62+ (lot 351) that features King Charles II, who reigned from 1660 to 1685. Below the king’s portrait, a small elephant is stamped — representing the Royal African Company, which through royal charter supplied gold to England from the Guinea region of West Africa. As one of the oldest guineas that has survived in such a high grade, this coin has an estimate of £ 130,000 to £ 160,000 (about $180,000 to $222,000 USD) in the upcoming sale.

England 1675 5 Guineas Elephant graded NGC MS 62+ Click images to enlarge.

Another gold guinea in the auction depicts King George II, who reigned from 1727 to 1760. This England 1748 5 Guineas graded NGC MS 64 (lot 352) has an estimate of £ 100,000 to £ 125,000 (about $139,000 to $173,000 USD).

Great Britian 1748 5 Guineas graded NGC MS 64 Click images to enlarge.

About English Gold Guineas

Guineas were minted between 1663 to 1814. In 1663, King Charles II granted a royal charter to the “Company of Royal Adventurers Trading to Africa” (later called the “Royal African Company”), and most of these coins were produced with gold obtained from the Guinea region in West Africa. Overtime, older guineas became a source to make new ones, which featured the reigning monarch. Because many were melted, only a few of the earliest pieces have survived

To view the current values of NGC-graded gold guineas, visit NGC World Coin Price Guide.