One Guinea 2023 The East India Company, Coin from Saint Helena - detailed information

The obverse of the coin shows the bare (uncrowned) head of King Charles III facing left.

In tiny letters on the neck truncation, the artist's initials: GD (for Glyn Davies).

Around, the monarch's legend: CHARLES III · DEI · GRA · REX · F · D · ST. HELENA · 2023 ·. Translated from Latin, the legend means: Charles the Third, by the Grace of God, King, Defender of the Faith, Saint Helena.

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).

In the lower right field (between the shield, sceptre and wreath), the EIC mint mark of the East India Company; the letters are separated by arrows radiating from the centre around which they are situated.

Finish: Proof FDC.
Packaging: in presentation box, with a numbered Certificate of Authenticity.
The East India Company SKU: FG23GUIGPONE
Release date: 22 May 2023.
Issue price: £795.00

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.

Each coin is finished with a bespoke "compass milling" with four sets of 13 mills totaling 52 to reflect the passing of time separated by compass point single mills denoting navigation.