2013 Anniversary of the Guinea £2
Coin will arrive in circulated condition
About This Design
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 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 George III, known as the Spade Guinea. It was nicknamed for the shape of its shield that resembled the humble garden tool. The Spade Guinea became hugely popular, rumoured to be sought after by the country gentry and reproduced extensively as brass tokens many 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.’
Specifications
Issued 2013
Diameter 28.4mm
Weight 12.0g
Thickness 2.5mm
Composition
Outer: Nickel-brass (76% copper, 4% nickel, 20% zinc)
Inner: Cupro-nickel (75% copper, 25% nickel)
Obverse Designer Ian Rank-Broadley
Reverse Designer Anthony Smith ARBS
Edge Milled
Edge Inscription WHAT IS A GUINEA? ‘TIS A SPLENDID THING
Mintage 2,990,000*
Made by The Royal Mint
