(See photos for condition)

This 1703 Vigo Anne Silver Halfcrown is a rare coin that collectors would love to have in their collection. It features the image of Queen Anne on the obverse side and the Coat of Arms of England on the reverse. The coin has a fineness of 0.925 and was minted in Great Britain during the Early Milled era.

A silver Half Crown of Queen Anne, dated 1703. Just over 300 years ago, Queen Anne acceded to the English throne. The sister-in-law of William III was a stout middle aged, fretful, affectionate and essentially ordinary woman. She sought much advice from those around her, especially John Churchill, Earl of Marlborough, the country's greatest soldier and diplomat. It was during her reign that the Scots and English joined in the act of Union of 1707. The new Britain became the world's most powerful nation for the next 200 years. These Half Crowns were struck from silver seized from the Spanish, in a Anglo-Dutch expedition when the two sides met and Vigo bay.

Obverse

Queen Anne Bust.

Description

J Brown Obit 18 Augt 1820

Reverse

Crowned Cruciform Shields.

The loot salvaged from the Spanish ships, mostly in the form of plate, not bullion, was brought back to England and delivered to the Royal Mint. At the time, the Mint's Master was Isaac Newton who recorded receiving 4504 lbs 2 oz of silver and a modest 7 lbs 8 oz of gold.

Much of the treasure fleet's silver had already been put ashore before the battle, but the captured specie would be used to claim a further psychological victory.

By royal warrant, Queen Anne instructed Newton that:

'Our will & pleasure is & we do hereby require & authorise you to cause to be coyned all such Gold & Silver as shall be brought into our Mint and delivered unto you ... with this inscription Vigo in small letters under Our Effigies, which we intend as a mark of distinction from the rest of our Gold & silver moneys and to continue to posterity the remembrance of that glorious action.'

'VIGO' appears below Anne’s portrait on silver and gold coinage struck in late 1702 and early 1703. It can be found on gold Half Guineas, full Guineas, Two Guineas and Five Guineas, as well as on Crowns, Halfcrowns, Shillings and Sixpences.