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Show First English Guineas. The guinea was first coined In Charles II.'s reign, together with the five-guinea, two-guinea, and half-guinea half-guinea pieces, and camo to be so called call-ed because many of tbe now coins wero minted from gold brought from Guinea by the company of Royal Adventurers Ad-venturers ot England trading Into Africa, The royal order to tbe mint added that theso pieces were to ue marked "with a little elephant In Bitch convenient place as you shall Judge fitting, which wo Intend as a mnrke of distinction and an encouragement unto tho said company In tho Importing Import-ing ot gold and sliver to be coined." |