Summary

4 Pence, Issued by British Guiana (now Guyana), 1917
Minted by Royal Mint, London

Obverse Description

Crowned and draped bust of the King facing left; around, GEORGE V KING AND EMPEROR OF INDIA; the artist's initials, BM, on bust truncation

Reverse Description

Within an open oak wreath in two lines, FOUR / PENCE; above, Imperial crown; around, BRITISH GUIANA; below, 1917

Edge Description

Milled

Significance

In 1840 the value of the British Guiana guilder was fixed at 1 shilling and 4 pence (16 pence) and as a result the 4 pence piece was equated to the important 1/4 guilder denomination, known in British Guiana as a 'bit'. The 4 pence or groat therefore became the principle coin circulating in the colony although 3 pence, 2 pence and 1 1/2 pence silver coins were also provided. The West Indies obtained their coins through the Colonial Bank in British Guiana which led in time to the striking of the silver 4 pence for British Guiana and the West Indies from 1891 until 1916.

By Royal Proclamation of 10 May 1917 the coins were only for British Guiana; the 1917 issue was made on 30 June 1917 (Annual Report of the Deputy Master and Comptroller of the Royal Mint, 1917 p. 12).

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