The 1718 Quarter Guinea - George IQuarter Guineas were only minted in two years - 1718 and 1762. Due to their small size and yet comparatively high value, they were not very popular at the time.
In 1718 Sir Isaac Newton was Master of the Mint. At that time silver prices were skyrocketing and the silver coins of the time were actually worth more in silver than face value. Thus, silver coins were being melted down for their silver leaving a large shortage of small denomination coins.
You can read more details in our article The Quarter-Guinea and Other Problems.
Newton's response was to make a gold equivalent to the silver crown (5 shillings). A Quarter-Guinea would be worth and 5 shillings and 3 pence.
The new coin followed the same design and proportions of a full guinea, including the verbose legend. Problem was it was just 16mm in diameter and a weight of just over 2.13g. Considering it was probably worth fifty pounds plus in today's values it was a risky coin to have in your pocket and easily lost. The Quarter Guinea wasn't made again for 44 years.
The Reverse shows crowned cruciform coats-of-arms with sceptres in the quarters and a Sun in the centre. Legend around with date at top.
The Obverse shows the laurel head of King George I.Images used by permission of The Royal Mint
Mintage: 37,380 (may include coins in sets)
Minted at The Royal Mint
Minted in 1718. See Coins and Events of 1718
Monarch/Ruler: George I (1714-1727)
Category: Guineas. See more Guinea coins
and see which Guinea coins have the lowest mintage.
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
List items on:
 | 1718 Quarter Guinea George 1st this coin has been graded LCGS 70. £ 873.70 |
 | Great Britain. 1718 George 1 - Quarter Guinea.. gVF - Trace Lustre £ 1,270.57 |
 | Papua New Guinea 50 Toea 2008 x 1 Pc UNC 35th Bank MULTICOLOR COMMEMORATIVE COIN £ 8.98 |
 | Papua New Guinea PNG 2 Toea KM-2 1996 x 1 Pcs UNC Bird Lion Fish Currency COIN £ 5.38 |
 | Quarter Guinea Coin Weight - 1 Dw & 8 Gr - British 17/18th C - Stamped w/ Crown £ 21.50 |
 | GEORGE I 1718 GOLD QUARTER GUINEA - GEF £ 1,075.00 |
 | 1956 French West Africa 25 Francs Coin Afrique Occidentale Francaise £ 8.94 |
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