Summary
4 Pence (groat), Issued by British Guiana and West Indies, 1908
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, 1908
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
-
Collecting Areas
-
Acquisition Information
Transfer from Melbourne Branch of Royal Mint, Royal Mint, London, 1978
-
Date Issued
1908 AD
-
Issued By
-
Mint
-
Artist
-
Denomination
-
Material
Silver
-
Axis
12
-
Classification
-
Category
-
Discipline
-
Type of item
-
Dimensions
1.888 g (Weight)
-
Shape
Round
-
References
KM#27 Pridmore 37
[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.
-
Keywords
