There are a number of English silver, and a few gold, coins of 1702-03 which have the word VIGO under Queen Anne's bust. The recent sale of a 5 guinea piece, guinea and half guinea, all three described as extremely rare, provides the perfect excuse to research and report the origins of this privy mark, as far as they can be ascertained!

The coins which carry the "VIGO" privy mark are: 5 Guineas (the Guinea was then 21s6d) dated 1703. Obv: Anne to left, draped, with VIGO beneath the bust. Legend around ANNA • DEI • GRATIA • Rev: crowned cruciform shields, sceptres in angles, rose at centre, legend MAG • BR • ET • HIB REG • 1703 (the date divided by a crown). Edge inscription in relief - • + DECUS • ET • TUTAMEN • REGNI • SECUNDO , c38mm, 41.59g. No mark of denomination. (There are three dies known, but apparently less than 20 surviving pieces, and this is one of only five offered in the last 40 years.) The head of Anne was engraved by John Croker, from a portrait by Sir Godfrey Kneller. (Sold for US$86,000).

Guinea of 1703, sold for US$26,000, and Half Guinea of 1703, sold for US$50,000. All three pieces are similar in design; the Guinea is 8.33 gr, the Half is 4.12g.

Also bearing the VIGO mark are: Crown, Half Crown both dated 1703, and Shilling dated both 1702 and 1703. Unusual in that some of the coin was dated in the year of the seizure.