Description
William III (1694-1702), Crown, 1696, Octavo, third laureate and draped bust right, straight breastplate, toothed border both sides, legend surrounds GVLIELMVS III DEI GRA. Rev, crowned cruciform shields, Lion of Nassau at centre within cartouche surrounded by nine billets, early harp with seven strings, date either side of top crown, reads MAG BR FRA ET HIB REX, edge inscription DECVS ET TVTAMEN ANNO REGNI OCTAVO (S.3472; Bull 1004; ESC.94).
Olive grey toning with amber gold underlying surfaces around the legends, some flecking and die breaks both sides. Portrait superb, struck with fresh dies, an excellent rendition of the third bust, the hair especially pleasing with all the ridges and curls visible, the lower drapery and breastplate in relief. Rev, some toning spots and traces of haymarking, the fields clear and free of any surface markings. All crowned shields struck up in a high definition, the slightest of softness on one of the fleur de lis emblems to the right. Exceptional, good extremely fine, rare so well preserved.
