Great Britain: William III Crown 1697,...

Description

William III Crown 1697, S3473, VF30 PCGS, very rare date, heavy haymarking on "DEI" and also on "BR" on reverse, otherwise no problems, just even wear, the strike nicely balanced with all details clear, bold date, light gray surfaces. Why is this date so rare? Britain was at war with France (for a change!), a difficult and costly war which reached its worst moment in this year-in fact, two wars of a sort were raging, a regal one against the Jacobites who were plotting against King William and were allied with France, as well as the larger war, that of the Spanish Succession. John Churchill, Duke of Marlborough, commanded the British troops in this effort, and it drained the Treasury. 1697 was not a year when lots of silver was going into crowns, for the minor coinage was in much demand, and even it suffered in the next two years, when little silver was coined at all. It was not until 1700 when sizable amounts of coinage poured form the mint, and by then it was much needed. Few crowns of 1697 were saved as collectibles, testament to which is the condition of the coin in this lot.

Metal: Silver
Diameter: 38.61mm

More information about Great Britain Coins. See also: Great Britain World Coin Nationality.

View Certification Details from PCGS