1762 George III Quarter Guinea

Quarter guineas had only been struck previously in 1718 when the price of silver had risen dramatically meaning that most silver crowns had been melted down. The quarter guinea was created as a coin of roughly the same value as the silver crown but minted in gold. However due to its small size and weight it was impractical as a means of payment and its unpopularity meant it was discontinued that same year. 

When George III came to the throne in 1760 the price of silver had again risen dramatically and despite the previous unpopularity of the quarter guinea it was considered necessary to produce to fill the gap between the low-denomination silver coins and the larger gold coins. The 1762 1/4 guinea was made to the same size and weight specifications as before and unfortunately it met the same fate as its predecessor, only being produced in this one year before being discontinued.

Despite its small size the coin design follows the larger guineas and it is a testament to the skill of the Royal Mint of the time that a coin could be produced with this level of detail.

Obverse
Laurel Head

Reverse
Crowned Shield