Dated 1697. First draped bust. Rev: with crowned cruciform shields having the arms of Scotland and Ireland transposed from their normal position. Extremely rare (ESC gives this variety an R4 rating - estimated as being '11 to 20' known specimens). In addition, the G of GVLIELMVS is punched over a letter I (see enlarged image) and is apparently unpublished as such. 6.01 grams.

A bold fine and better, a little weakly struck, with some slight scuffing to surfaces (from being a topsoil find). Some irridescence. Pleasing.

PROVENANCE:
A recent detector find.

LITERATURE:
S. 3497 (variant); ESC 1091A (R4).

FOOTNOTES:
A rarely seen variant coin; we have not been able to find another example offered in recent years and the 'G over I' seems to be unrecorded.