George III AD 1760-1820 Gold Guinea AD 1813 Military Type

George III AD 1760-1820 Gold Guinea AD 1813

Military Type

Laureate bust right/Shield in garter

S3730; 24mm, 8.38g

The Military Guinea was issued to help pay Wellington’s army which was nearing the successful conclusion of its Peninsular campaign against Napoleon. Struck for 1 year only this guinea was to be the last issued before the guinea was withdrawn in the Great Recoinage of AD 1816. The reverse depicting a Shield in Garter will also be found on half guineas issued  since AD 1801.

Grandson of George II he married Charlotte of Mecklenburg with whom he had 15 children. He remains our longest reigning king and is remembered as the king who lost the American colonies as well as for his madness. Nevertheless the country was transformed during his reign during which the Industrial Revolution largely took place during the reign. This resulted in an increase in trade and wealth. Great Britain emerged victorious from the Napoleonic Wars where victory at the naval battle of Trafalgar had given Britain supremacy at sea. This allowed the vast expansion of the British Empire which took place during the 19th Century.

Whilst little silver or copper coinage was issued during the reign there were five issues of gold guinea coinage minted before the great recoinage took place in AD 1816.