1813 Rare George III Military Guinea Gold Coin

This historic George III Guinea, dated 1813, is from the last series of Guineas to have been issued. The name 'Military' Guinea comes from the fact that it was minted to pay the armed forces fighting in the Napoleonic wars, who were reluctant to accept paper money. Only around 80,000 of these coins were struck, making this a rare collectors item today.

Obverse
Laureate head of King George III facing right with the edge inscription 'GEORGIVS III DEI GRATIA' meaning 'George III by the grace of God'.

Reverse
A shield set within a garter, quartered with the arms of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, and with an inescutcheon of the arms of the Electorate of Brunswick and Luneburg. The text on the garter reads 'HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE'  meaning 'evil to him who evil thinks'. The edge inscription reads 'BRITANNIARUM REX FIDEI DEFENSOR' - 'King of the British territories, defender of the faith'.