 |
|
Specifications |
| Issued |
2013 |
| Diameter |
28.4mm |
| Weight |
12g |
| Composition |
Outer: nickel-brass 76%
copper, 4% nickel, 20% zinc |
| Composition |
Inner: Cupro-nickel 75%
copper, 25% nickel |
| Obverse |
Ian Rank-Broadley |
| Reverse |
Anthony Smith |
| Edge |
Milled |
| Inscription |
What is a guinea? 'Tis a
splendid thing |
| Mintage |
2,990,000 |
| |
|
| B.U pack |
 |
| £10.00 |
| 2013 |
| Product code |
| UK13GUBU |
| Sold |
10,340 |
|
|
Design
details:
Over 200 years have passed since the guinea was last struck, but the
romance of the coin endures. Steeped in mystique, from its fabled one
pound and one shilling value to its association with the gentleman,
gentility and good taste, the guinea was the principal gold coin of
Britain for centuries. In 2013, for the first time ever, we celebrated one
coin with another: the 2013 'Anniversary of the Golden Guinea' £2 coin.
The inscription ‘Anniversary of the Golden Guinea’ surrounds the reverse
design of this £2 coin by sculptor Anthony Smith, who has recreated one of
the most famous guinea designs: a shield with the arms of King George III,
known as the Spade Guinea. It was nicknamed for the shape of its shield
that so resembled the humble garden tool – the Spade Guinea would become
hugely popular, rumoured to be sought after by the country set and often
reproduced in brass even a hundred years later. The edge of the coin is
finished with a tribute from contemporary writer, Stephen Kemble, ‘What is
a guinea? ‘Tis a splendid thing.’
text source and credit the Royal Mint |