Posted 09/22/2015 8:55 pm
AV is an abbreviation derived from the Latin AVREVM, meaning gold.
The coin in question (assuming it is authentic) would properly be called a Guinea; with a face value fixed at 21 shillings as opposed the 20 shillings of the later Sovereign coins. The first modern sovereigns were struck in 1817 after the discontinuation of the guinea.
You can read more about them here: http://www.coins-of-the-uk.co.uk/sov.html
Note that there exist numerous contemporary brass imitations of this period of guinea that were used as gaming tokens. These pieces will usually carry incorrect legends and are thus easily identifiable.
The coin in question (assuming it is authentic) would properly be called a Guinea; with a face value fixed at 21 shillings as opposed the 20 shillings of the later Sovereign coins. The first modern sovereigns were struck in 1817 after the discontinuation of the guinea.
You can read more about them here: http://www.coins-of-the-uk.co.uk/sov.html
Note that there exist numerous contemporary brass imitations of this period of guinea that were used as gaming tokens. These pieces will usually carry incorrect legends and are thus easily identifiable.
Edited by Kefiroth
09/22/2015 9:01 pm
09/22/2015 9:01 pm
