William III 3rd bust Sixpence 1697 Bristol (or is it! – see below for details of this possibly unique Error Coin)

 

Obverse

Third laureate and draped bust of King William III right, legend around.’B’ below bust

Script: Latin

Lettering: GVLIELMVS· III·DEI·GRA

Translation: William the Third by the Grace of God

Engraver: John Croker

Reverse

Crowned cruciform shields around a central lion rampant, divided date above, legend around.

Note: larger later harp

Script: Latin

Lettering: MAG· BR·FRA· ET HIB· REX·16 97·

Translation: King of Great Britain, France and Ireland

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An off day at the Mint!

Errors on this coin are not recorded in Bull, ESC, or Coins of England and make for quite a talking point:

There is a die flaw over the M in GVLIELMVS

The 2^nd V is an inverted ∀

The A in GRA is an inverted Ʌ

Below the bust is an inverted and reversed ʁ (Probably meant as a B for Bristol)

The reverse also has a similar ʁ in HIB

The R in REX seems to be over an F (Flat looking top) and is slightly missing its front leg!

 (Bull 1266, ESC 1568, S.3539), rated rare in Bull

EF or near so