Guinea Coin


Charles II granted a Royal Charter to what became known as the Royal African Company. Partly to encourage awareness of this new Royally backed company and partly to celebrate its trade in the very high quality gold ore from West Africa, Charles had this new coin struck. To symbolise its value over the traditional Pound (which was worth 20 shillings), the Guinea was to be worth 21 shillings (or 252 pence). The Guinea coin became something of a luxury brand within coins and was used extensively by the wealthier classes to enhance their prestige and advertise their wealth.


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by Stephen Luscombe