BRITISH, Hanover. George II, 1727-1760. 1/2 Crown 1746 LIMA (Silver, 33 mm, 14.94 g, 6 h), London. GEORGIUS•II•DEI•GRATIA• Laureate bust of George II to left, LIMA below. Rev. M•B•F•ET• - H•REX•F•D•B• - ET•L•D•S•R•I - A•T•ET•E•17 - 46• Large cross formed out of four crowned shields. Bull 1688. SCBC 3695. Beautifully toned. Tiny scratches and flan faults, otherwise, very fine.



'LIMA pieces' were struck from a large hoard of silver captured from the Spanish by Admiral Anson's squadron while operating in the Pacific Ocean. It is disputed whether the word 'LIMA,' engraved under the bust, refers to the fact that the Spanish silver was being shipped from Lima to Spain when intercepted by Anson, or if it simply alludes to the sheer quantity of salvaged coins from the Lima mint.