King George II
George II's five guinea pieces mark the last of the denomination. The series began in 1729, and was also struck in 1731, 1735, 1738, 1741, 1746, 1748, and for the last time in 1753. The coins weighed 41.8–42.0 grams. Some of the 1729 coins bear the initials EIC under the king's head, indicating the gold was supplied by the East India Company, while the 1746 coins have LIMA under the head, indicating the gold was obtained during Admiral Anson's circumnavigation of the world (though the use of LIMA is something of a mystery, as there is no known connection with Peru).
The obverse has a left-facing bust of the king (with an older head from 1746), with the legend, while the reverse features a single large crowned shield with the quarters containing the arms of England+Scotland, France, Hanover, and Ireland, and the legend —King of Great Britain, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, Duke of Brunswick and Lueneburg, Arch-Treasurer and Elector of the Holy Roman Empire.
The regnal years for this reign are:
| 1729: | TERTIO | 1731: | QVARTO | 1735: | OCTAVO | 1738: | DVODECIMO |
| 1741: | DECIMO QVARTO | 1746: | DECIMO NONO | 1748: | VICESIMO SECVNDO | 1753: | VICESIMO SEXTO |
Read more about this topic: Five Guineas (British Coin)
Famous quotes containing the word king:
“Oh the rose, the rose, the gentle rose,
And the fennel that grows so green!
God give us grace in every place
To pray for our king and queen.”
—Unknown. The Seven Virgins (l. 41–44)