2018 Sapphire Jubilee Gold Proof Guinea 3-Coin Set - St. Helena

2018 Sapphire Jubilee Gold Proof Guinea 3-Coin Set 

These special commemorative guinea gold coins were issued by the East India Company to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II's reaching a milestone Sapphire Jubilee. 

This gold coin set is comprised of 3 coins, each struck from 22-carat (0.916 fine) gold. The set contains a total of 0.74 troy ounces of the precious metal. 

Each of these Sapphire Jubilee gold coins is struck to the highest proof finish. The coins come in a wooden presentation box, along with a certificate of authenticity. 

The coins in this set feature the Royal Cypher, Royal Arms and the Coronation Guineas.

Only 200 of these sets were produced.

Gold Guineas

The guinea was introduced into the British coinage in 1663 under Charles II, and continued until 1813 in the reign of George III.

 The Guinea was equivalent to 21 shillings, which is  equivalent to £1.05 in decimal pounds. Each of these coins has been minted to the exact specification as the last circulating Spade Guinea which was struck in 1798 under King George III. 

The obverse features Jody Clark's portrait of HM Queen Elizabeth II. In keeping with the original gold guinea coins supplied by the East India Company, the letters E.I.C. can be found under the effigy of HM Queen Elizabeth II.

The text reads:

ELIZABETH II D G REGINA F D ST. HELENA 2018
1.05 POUNDS

The reverse of the coins feature 3 different designs:

The 2018 Royal Cypher Guinea
The 2018 coin features the ERII emblem which featured on the Robe of Estate worn at Queen Elizabeth II's coronation in 1953.

The 2018 Royal Arms Guinea
This coin features the coat of arms which depicts a shield and 3 lions passant guardant for England in the first and fourth quarters, a lion rampant for Scotland in the second quarter, and a harp for Ireland in the third.

The shield is in between a lion and a unicorn with the ERII logo and crown above.

The 2018 Coronation Guinea
The design for this coin was inspired by the commemorative crowns which were issued in 1953 for the Coronation. It features the 4 shields of the United Kingdom which are separated by the Sovereign's Sceptre and the Sword of Offering which both play a role in the coronation ceremony