1694/3 Gold Guinea William & Mary NGC VF25

The 1694/3 England Gold Guinea of William & Mary, graded NGC VF25, is a scarce and historically significant overdate variety with direct provenance from the renowned Ellerby Area Hoard, discovered in East Riding of Yorkshire in 2019. This hoard, composed of 266 gold coins spanning over a century, was uncovered beneath a house floor in a salt-glazed jar, offering a rare and intimate glimpse into the wealth safeguarding practices of post-Civil War England.

Obverse: Features conjoined busts of King William III and Queen Mary II facing right, both draped and laureate. The surrounding Latin legend reads:
“GVLIELMVS·ET·MARIA·DEI·GRATIA” — William and Mary, by the Grace of God.

Reverse: Displays the crowned shield of royal arms, quartered and arranged to represent England, Scotland, Ireland, and France, dividing the date “1694” — notably struck over a “3”, creating a clear 1694/3 overdate, a rare and desirable variety. The surrounding legend reads:
“MAG·BR·FR·ET·HIB·REX·ET·REGINA” — King and Queen of Great Britain, France, and Ireland.

Struck in .917 fine gold, weighing approximately 8.3 grams, this guinea was produced at the Royal Mint in London and circulated widely during the brief joint reign of William and Mary (1689–1694). The overdate indicates reuse of an earlier-dated die, a common but collectible minting anomaly during the period.

Graded NGC VF25, the coin retains solid design visibility, especially in the busts and crown, with even wear and a rich golden tone typical of hoard-preserved specimens. It is tied for Finest Known at this grade level for the overdate variety with Ellerby Hoard provenance, heightening its appeal to both collectors of British numismatics and historical gold errors.

Historical Note: The Ellerby Hoard was declared under the Treasure Act of 1996, later disclaimed, and sold in 2022 through Spink & Son for a total exceeding £750,000. This coin is one of the rarest overdates in the hoard and a direct connection to 17th-century economic history.