1 Guinea - William and Mary 1689-1694 front 1 Guinea - William and Mary 1689-1694 back
1 Guinea - William and Mary 1689-1694 photo
© Heritage Auctions

1 Guinea - William and Mary

 
Gold (.917) 8.39 g 25.5 mm
Description
Issuer
England (United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies)
Ruling authority
William III, Mary II (1689-1694)
Type
Standard circulation coin
Years
1689-1694
Value
1 Guinea (43⁄40)
Currency
Pound sterling (1158-1970)
Composition
Gold (.917)
Weight
8.39 g
Diameter
25.5 mm
Shape
Round
Technique
Milled
Orientation
Coin alignment ↑↓
Demonetized
Yes
Updated
2024-10-08
References
Numista
N#12959
Rarity index
93%

Reverse

Crowned quartered shield of arms with central Nassau lion, divided date above, legend aorund.

Script: Latin

Lettering: MAG·BR·FR·ET·HIB·REX·ET·REGINA·16 89·

Translation: King and Queen of Great Britain France and Ireland

Engravers: James Roettier, Norbert Roettier

Edge

Milled

Comment

The guinea was a gold coin that was minted in Great Britain between 1663 and 1814. The name came from the Guinea region in West Africa, where much of the gold used to make the coins originated. They were struck at 44½ to the pound troy, giving a standard weight of 24/89 troy ounce (129.4 grains).

Obverse varieties exist with either elephant & castle (Sp#3427) or only elephant (Sp#3428) below the conjoined busts.

Interesting fact

One interesting fact about the 1 Guinea coin from William and Mary's reign is that it was the first coin to feature the iconic image of Britannia, the personification of Great Britain, on its reverse side. This design has been a hallmark of British coinage ever since and has become a symbol of British culture and identity.

Price

Date Mintage VG F VF XF AU UNC
1694  - - - - - -

Values in the table are based on evaluations by sales realized on Internet platforms. They serve as an indication only for 1 Guinea - William and Mary 1689-1694 coin.