One Guinea 2013 The East India Company, Coin from Saint Helena - detailed information

One Guinea 2013 The East India Company, Coin from Saint Helena
CoinOne Guinea 2013 The East India Company

Saint Helena is a small island in the South Atlantic Ocean which is part of the British overseas territory of Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha. The currency of the island is the Saint Helena pound, fixed at parity with the pound sterling. The island has authorised some private mints to issue coins under its jurisdiction, which come in a variety of sizes - including in the popular gold quarter ounce (1/4 oz gold) format, usually denominated as £2.

This coin pays tribute to the original "Guinea" coinage of Great Britain.

The introduction of machine-struck coins to Britain in 1663 put an end to the dark art of "clipping", where criminals would shave the edges off coins to collect small fragments of the precious metals, devaluing the currency in the process. Now, gold and silver coins could be minted with a milled edge and edge lettering to deter this illegal behaviour.

Britain’s first machine-struck gold coin was the Guinea, which then played a vital role in the golden age of trade and exploration, travelling the world on The East India Company ships with its reputation for absolute quality and accuracy.

"Guinea" was originally just the coin’s nickname, given because much of the gold used to strike it came from Africa’s Guinea Coast, but the name became so widely used that it was officially adopted in 1720 under the reign of King George I. In later years The East India Company often supplied the gold used to mint these magnificent coins, and during the reign of George II some Guineas bore the EIC mint mark to recognise this.

The coin is in 22 carat gold just like the original guineas. Also, just like on the originals, the face value and denomination are not actually written on the coin. Traditionally, a guinea was worth 21 shillings at a time when one pound was 20 shillings, which means that the current decimal equivalent would be £1.05.

MintEast India Company (modern) Mint MarkNo mint mark Total Mintage 1,000
Obverse
Saint Helena / One Guinea 2013 The East India Company - obverse photo

The obverse of the coin shows the crowned bust of Queen Elizabeth II, facing right (her effigy known as the "Third Portrait"). The Queen is wearing the royal diadem which she wears on her way to and from the State Opening of Parliament, a pearl necklace and earrings.

Incuse in tiny letters on the neck truncation, the designer's initials RDM (for Raphael David Maklouf).

Around, the monarch's legend, the face value and the date of issue. ST. HELENA · QUEEN ELIZABETH II · 1.05 POUNDS 2013 ·.

Obverse Inscription ST. HELENA · QUEEN ELIZABETH II · 1.05 POUNDS 2013 ·
Reverse
Saint Helena / One Guinea 2013 The East India Company - reverse photo

The East India Company Guinea's central motif features the Standing Lion, Rampant Guardant (erect, facing the viewr), representing the Defender of the Crown. Its foot rests upon a globe lying on a rope, denoting the role of the historic Guinea gold coin as the most trusted gold trade coin.

The lion stands on the shield of St George behind which are two cruciform (crossed) sceptres inspired by the very first Guinea issued in the reign of King Charles II.

At the base of the design are tea and cotton leaves in a wreath, showing the importance of these commodities to international trade during the Guinea's lifetime and reflecting its long connection to The East India Company.

Around above, the inscription THE EAST INDIA COMPANY. Divided by the lion and sceptres, the face value ONE GUINEA (equal to £1.05 in modern coinage).

Reverse Inscription THE EAST INDIA COMPANY ONE GUINEA
EdgeMilled interruptedEdge InscriptionNone
Notes

Finish: proof.
Packaging: in presentation box, with a numbered Certificate of Authenticity.

See also

Saint Helena coins with historic Guinea designs include:
- 8 g Gold Proof, Standing Lion Guinea 2013
- 1/4 oz Gold Bullion, Rose Crown Guinea 2018
- 1.25 oz Silver Bullion, Rose Crown Guinea 2018
- 1 oz Silver Bullion, Spade Guinea 2018
- 1 oz Silver Bullion, Spade Guinea 2019
- 8.4 g Gold Proof, Military Guinea 2020
- 7.98 g Sovereign, Gold Proof, Spade Guinea 2020
- 1/4 oz Gold Bullion, Rose Crown Guinea 2020
- 4.2 g Gold Proof, Spade Half Guinea 2020
- 2.1 g Gold Proof, Rose Crown Quarter Guinea 2020
- 1.25 oz Silver Bullion, Rose Crown Guinea 2020
- 1.25 oz Silver Bullion, Sceptre Guinea 2020
- 1/10 oz Silver Bullion, Spade Guinea 2020
- 1/3 oz Platinum Bullion, Rose Crown Guinea 2021
- 1.25 oz Silver Bullion, Rose Crown Guinea 2021
- 1.25 oz Silver Bullion, Standing Lion Guinea 2021
- 1/10 oz Silver Bullion, Spade Guinea 2021
- 1/4 oz Gold Bullion, Rose Crown Guinea 2022
- 1.25 oz Silver Bullion, Rose Crown Guinea 2022
- 1 oz Silver Bullion, Military Guinea 2022
- 1/10 oz Silver Bullion, Spade Guinea 2022
- 42 g Gold Proof, Spade Five Guineas 2023
- 16.8 g Gold Proof, Spade Two Guineas 2023
- 8.4 g Gold Proof, Spade Guinea 2023
- 8.4 g Gold Proof, Standing Lion Guinea 2023
- 4.2 g Gold Proof, Spade Half Guinea 2023
- 2.1 g Gold Proof, Spade Half Guinea 2023
- 1/10 oz Silver Bullion, Spade Guinea 2023

All (22) coins of type: Gold Quarter Ounce (1/4 oz)
Coin NameMintageEffigyLegend
One Guinea 2013 The East India Company 1,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Third Portrait ST. HELENA · QUEEN ELIZABETH II · 1.05 POUNDS 2013 ·
One Guinea 2015 The East India Company 200 Queen Elizabeth II - Third Portrait ST. HELENA · QUEEN ELIZABETH II · 1.05 POUNDS 2013 ·
Gold Quarter Ounce 2017 Empire - Queen Elizabeth I 500 Queen Elizabeth II - Third Portrait ST. HELENA · QUEEN ELIZABETH II · ONE POUND · 2017 ·
Gold Quarter Ounce 2017 Empire - James I 500 Queen Elizabeth II - Third Portrait ST. HELENA · QUEEN ELIZABETH II · ONE POUND · 2017 ·
Gold Quarter Ounce 2017 Empire - Charles II 500 Queen Elizabeth II - Third Portrait ST. HELENA · QUEEN ELIZABETH II · ONE POUND · 2017 ·
Gold Quarter Ounce 2017 Empire - William III 500 Queen Elizabeth II - Third Portrait ST. HELENA · QUEEN ELIZABETH II · ONE POUND · 2017 ·
Gold Quarter Ounce 2017 Empire - Queen Anne 500 Queen Elizabeth II - Third Portrait ST. HELENA · QUEEN ELIZABETH II · ONE POUND · 2017 ·
Gold Quarter Ounce 2017 Empire - George II 500 Queen Elizabeth II - Third Portrait ST. HELENA · QUEEN ELIZABETH II · ONE POUND · 2017 ·
Gold Quarter Ounce 2017 Empire - George III 500 Queen Elizabeth II - Third Portrait ST. HELENA · QUEEN ELIZABETH II · ONE POUND · 2017 ·
Gold Quarter Ounce 2017 Empire - William IV 500 Queen Elizabeth II - Third Portrait ST. HELENA · QUEEN ELIZABETH II · ONE POUND · 2017 ·
Gold Quarter Ounce 2017 Empire - Queen Victoria 500 Queen Elizabeth II - Third Portrait ST. HELENA · QUEEN ELIZABETH II · ONE POUND · 2017 ·
Gold Quarter Ounce 2018 Rose Crown Guinea unknown Queen Elizabeth II - Third Portrait ST. HELENA · QUEEN ELIZABETH II · 2018 · £25 · THE EAST INDIA COMPANY ·
Gold Quarter Ounce 2020 Una and the Lion 499 Queen Elizabeth II - Uncouped Portrait by Jody Clark ELIZABETH II · D · G · REGINA · F · D · ST. HELENA · 2 POUNDS ·
Gold Quarter Ounce 2020 Rose Crown Guinea unknown Queen Elizabeth II - Third Portrait ST. HELENA · QUEEN ELIZABETH II · 2020 · £25 · THE EAST INDIA COMPANY ·
Gold Quarter Ounce 2021 Una and the Lion 499 Queen Elizabeth II - Uncouped Portrait by Jody Clark ELIZABETH II · D · G · REGINA · F · D · ST. HELENA · 2 POUNDS ·
Gold Quarter Ounce 2021 Napoleon 200th Anniversary 500 Queen Elizabeth II - Uncouped Portrait by Jody Clark ST. HELENA · 2021 ELIZABETH II · FIVE POUNDS ·
Gold Quarter Ounce 2022 Una and the Lion 499 Queen Elizabeth II - Uncouped Portrait by Jody Clark ELIZABETH II · D · G · REGINA · F · D · ST. HELENA · 2 POUNDS ·
Gold Quarter Ounce 2022 Goddess Hera 1,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Uncouped Portrait by Jody Clark ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D · ST. HELENA · 2022 · 2 POUNDS ·
Gold Quarter Ounce 2022 Rose Crown Guinea unknown Queen Elizabeth II - Third Portrait ST. HELENA · QUEEN ELIZABETH II · 2022 · £25 · THE EAST INDIA COMPANY ·
Gold Quarter Ounce 2023 Una and the Lion 499 King Charles III - Portrait by Glyn Davies CHARLES III · D · G · REX · F · D · ST. HELENA · 2 POUNDS ·
Gold Quarter Ounce 2023 Goddess Eos 1,000 King Charles III - Portrait by Glyn Davies CHARLES III · D · G · REX · F · D · ST. HELENA · 2 POUNDS · 2023 ·
Gold Quarter Ounce 2024 Una and the Lion 499 King Charles III - Portrait by Glyn Davies CHARLES III · D · G · REX · F · D · ST. HELENA · 2 POUNDS ·
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One Guinea 2013 The East India Company: Details
CountrySaint Helena
CurrencySaint Helena Pound
Coin TypeGold Quarter Ounce (1/4 oz)
Issued2013
MonarchQueen Elizabeth II
EffigyQueen Elizabeth II - Third Portrait, by Raphael Maklouf
Face Value1.05 (x Pound)
Total Mintage1,000
CurrentYes
Material0.9167 Gold
TechnologyMilled (machine-made)
ShapeRound
OrientationMedal Alignment (Axis 0)
Size24.0000 mm
Mass8.0000 g
OCC IDRNAZ-EGWC-XWGB-EXJL
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One Guinea 2013 The East India Company: Photos
ImageDetails
One Guinea 2013 The East India Company: Photo 2013 St. Helena East India Company Proof Guinea Gold Coin / thumbnail 2013 St. Helena East India Company Proof Guinea Gold Coin
Copyright: Atkinson Bullion
Source
One Guinea 2013 The East India Company: Photo 2013 St. Helena East India Company Proof Guinea Gold Coin / thumbnail 2013 St. Helena East India Company Proof Guinea Gold Coin
Copyright: Atkinson Bullion
Source