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Great Britain. "Lima" Crown, 1746. S-3689; Spink 3665; Dav-1350; KM-585.3. George II, 1727-1760. Old Head. DECIMO NONO on edge. Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust, left; LIMA below bust. Reverse: Crowned cruciform arms, nimbate cross at center. Sharply struck, with full mint luster beneath exquisite, long-set, deep bluish mauve toning. Scarce and historical, probably the finest known Lima crown. NGC graded MS-64. Lima-hallmarked coins of the reign of George II were struck from the Spanish bullion seized by Captain George Anson under orders from the Admiralty during his trans-global ocean voyage of 1740-1744. When 11 Spanish treasure ships captured off the Philippines were sailed back to Portsmouth and the specie taken by wagon train along crowd-filled roads to the mint at London, England had effectively seized a huge fortune via legal piracy from the Spanish, who had mined the gold and silver at Lima, Peru. Soon after, Anson became the most renowned admiral of his day -- the most decorated and most honored. Entering the navy at 15, an officer at 21, and by 27 a captain with his own ship to command, Anson was given the fortunate charge in 1740 to circumnavigate the globe, penetrate the Straits of Magellan, stir the South American colonies into revolt, and generally raise as much pandemonium with the Spaniards and their shipping as he could. His six warships were at sea for three years and nine months. While his crews were beset by the inevitable scurvy, his squadron of ships endured storms, shipwreck and furious engagement at battle, costing him five of his command's six vessels, and some 1400 of his 1900 personnel! But he captured many prizes of booty, sacked and plundered the town of Payta Bay, sank or damaged a good number of Spanish ships, and most importantly captured the long-sought Spanish trading galleon La Nuestra Señora de Cavadonga, which had famously plied the Spanish shipping lanes between Acapulco and Manilla. This ship's cargo totaled some 36,000 ounces of silver, and a small amount of gold. In December of 1743, Anson turned towards home, arriving at the naval yards at Spithead (near Portsmouth) on June 15, 1744. Anson would eventually ascend to the rank of First Lord of the Admiralty, would be elevated to the peerage, and would use his influence to enact or oversee needed reforms to his beloved Royal Navy. Estimated Value $12,000 - 14,000. Once part of a presentation set (of four silver coins) reputedly given by Admiral Anson himself to the captain of one of his treasure ships and sold in a Spink Auction, London, mid-1980s. Illustrated in Money of The World, coin 106. Ex Millennia, Lot 384. Categories:

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