Losnummer 30297. Charles II gold "Elephant" 5 Guineas 1668 AU58 NGC, KM430.2, Fr-281, S-3329, Schneider-Unl. VICESIMO edge. First Bust. Compelling for its type and bordering on Mint State preservation, this fascinating 5 Guinea issue features the elephant hallmark below the King's laureate bust, indicating that the gold specie used to produce this coin was sourced from Royal African Company. A head-on examination of the obverse leaves what at first appears to be a near-matte finish, a notion quickly dispelled by a turn of the wrist that unleashes shimmering underlying luster carrying soft hints of iridescence. Charles' sensitively rendered portrait cannot be said to be anything but full in both its quality and the impact of its expression, with every feature in both his visage and the surrounding elements defined fully and raised in admirable relief above the lower-lying fields. Slight wisps of handling easily blend into the lightly silver-patinated surfaces, yielding an impression of quality that leaves this appealing offering as a distinctive contender for the quality-concerned collector. From the Paramount Collection