1791 Gold Guinea Coin George III
1791 5th laureate head George the Third Guinea featuring the 'spade' shield design on the reverse. You will receive the actual coin pictured. text reads: GEORGIVS III DEI GRATIA. M.B.F.ET.H.REX.F.D.B.ET.L.D.S.R.I.A.T.ET.E. The one Guinea gold coin took its name from the region of West Africa where much of the Gold for the coins originally came from. It contains approximately 8.4 grams of 22ct gold - almost exactly 1/4 oz fine Gold. The coins are approximately 24mm in diameter the specification varied slightly throughout the 151 years of the Guinea's life. The Guinea which was worth 21 shillings was eventually replaced by the smaller Gold Sovereign (worth 20 shillings) in 1817, however the use of the unit continues to this day implying a commission of 5% on the pound value.