Guineas

The coin named in the document quoted by A.J.H. is the *Guiennois* a gold piece struck at Guienne by Edward III., and also by his son the Black Prince. It is not likely that the Guiennois was the original of the name given to the new gold coin of Charles II., because it could have had no claim to preference beyond the *Mouton*, the *Chaise*, the *Pavillon*, or any other old Anglo-Gallic coin. I think we may rest contented with the statement of Leake (who wrote not much more than half a century after the event), and who says that the *Guinea* was so called from the gold of which it was made hav…