1741/38 Gold 5 Guineas PCGS MS62

Struck during the later years of George II’s reign, the 1741/38 overdate Gold 5 Guineas is a formidable piece in every sense—weighty in gold content, rich in history, and exceedingly rare in surviving condition. As the largest circulating gold denomination of the British realm, it was typically reserved for major transactions or ceremonial purposes, making Mint State examples highly elusive.

Obverse: The obverse bears a striking left-facing laureate bust of King George II, with the inscription “GEORGIVS II DEI GRATIA” (“George II, by the Grace of God”). The detail is remarkably sharp, particularly in the hair and laurel wreath, and the fields retain a bright golden sheen rarely encountered on such massive pre-Decimal issues.

Reverse: Features the crowned cruciform shield design with the coats of arms of England, Scotland, France, and Ireland, along with the Hanoverian arms at center, surrounded by the legend “M.B.F.ET.H.REX F.D.B.ET.L.D.S.R.I.A.T.ET.E.”. The crown and shield details are cleanly struck and deeply impressed, enhancing the coin’s visual grandeur.

Graded PCGS MS62, this example not only ranks among the finest known but visually exceeds expectations for the grade, with minimal surface marks and an exceptional presence. It represents an elite-level acquisition for collectors of British gold, offering a combination of rarity, condition, and historical importance that few coins can match.