Summary
4 Pence (groat), Issued by British Guiana and West Indies, 1903
Minted by Royal Mint, London
Obverse Description
Crowned and draped bust of the King facing right; around, EDWARD VII KING & EMPEROR; the artist's initials, DES, below bust
Reverse Description
Within an open oak wreath in two lines, FOUR / PENCE; above, Imperial crown; around, BRITISH GUIANA AND WEST INDIES; below, 1903
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.
More Information
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Collecting Areas
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Acquisition Information
Transfer from Melbourne Branch of Royal Mint, Royal Mint, London, 1978
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Date Issued
1903 AD
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Issued By
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Mint
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Artist
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Denomination
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Material
Silver
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Axis
12
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Classification
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Category
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Discipline
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Type of item
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Dimensions
17 mm (Outside Diameter), 1.875 g (Weight)
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Shape
Round
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References
KM#27 Pridmore 36
[Book] Pridmore, Fred. 1965. The Coins of the British Commonwealth of Nations, Part 3, West Indies.
[Book] Bruce, Colin R. 2006. Standard Catalogue of World Coins 1801 - 1900.
[Book] Hocking, William J. 1906. Catalogue of the Coins, Tokens, Medals, Dies and Seals in the Museum of the Royal Mint.
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Keywords
