1790 Gold Spade Guinea George III

1790 George III Gold Spade Guinea Coin.

The fifth issue of George III guinea is probably the best known, featuring a spade shaped shield as the reverse design, hence 'George III Spade Guineas'.

We have quite a few grades of this date in stock but can't show all the pictures. Some of the coins may have signs of mounting or haymarking, please contact us on 01253 343081 if you would like more information before your purchase.

Spade Guineas

"Spade" or "Spade Ace" guineas are the most famous version of this well known gold coin, even though they were only issued for thirteen years from 1787 to 1799. Please see our Guinea Story page for a potted history of the guinea.

If it had not been for the "military guinea" issued in 1813 to pay for the campaign against Napoleon, the spade guineas of George III would have been the last guinea issue.

George III Fifth Portrait

The fifth head issue of George III guineas had a spade shaped shield on their reverse instead of the garnished shields used on previous issues. Because these were virtually the last type of guinea to be issued, they are found more abundantly than the earlier versions. Because of the spade shaped shield they have for a long time been known as "spade guineas" or "spade ace" guineas, the latter because they resemble the ace of spades as usually portrayed on playing cards.

During recent years, they have been getting scarcer, particularly in better grades.

Fifth head of George III, facing right.

GEORGIVS III DEI GRATIA

Crowned shade shaped shield, with date below.

·M·B·F·ET·H·REX·F·D·B·ET·L·D·S·R·I·A·T·ET·E·1790

This translates as:

King of Great Britain, France & Ireland, Defender of The Faith, Duke of Brunswick & Lüneburg, High Treasurer and Elector of the Holy Roman Empire