GUINEA

, a gold coin struck in England.——The value or rate of the guinea has varied. It was at first equal to 20 shillings; but by the scarcity of gold it was afterwards advanced to 21 s. 6d.; though it is now sunk to 21s.

The pound weight troy of gold is cut into 44 parts and a half, and each part makes a guinea, which is therefore equal to 2/89lb, or 24/89oz, or 5dwts 9 3<*>/89 gr.

This coin took its name, Guinea, from the circumstance of the gold of which it was sirst struck being brought from that part of Africa called Guinea, for which reason also it bore the impression of an elephant.