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guinea

Twenty-one shillings, or one pound and one shilling in British currency in the late 19th century.[1]

Named for the Guinea region of West Africa where much of the gold used to mint the coin was mined.[1]

The original British coin, first minted in 1663 — approximately a quarter ounce of gold — was worth one pound sterling, or twenty shillings. Due to rises in gold prices, the guinea's value fluctuated until it was fixed at twenty-one shillings in 1816 when the coin was discontinued, replaced by the gold sovereign worth one pound sterling. Already long associated with the aristocracy for it's value in luxury items and livestock, the term "guinea" continued to be used colloquially well into the 20th century.[1]

The Wrecker: In early 1871,[3] Paul Carthew joined a crew of pearl fishers aboard the Currency Lass out of the Dutch East Indies. They were very successful in their expedition, with Carthew's share alone valued at more than 10,000 guineas.[4]