Expert: Brad Swain - 2/3/2010

Question
Hi Brad,
I hope you wont mind me taking up some of your time, but my query is I have a Geo 111 spade guinea coin, and I have trawled through the web to find its authenticity but to no avail, which gets me thinking that I have a gaming token?.
This coin has on the back these letters....G.L.REX.F.D.M.G.M.D.S.T.M.S.P.E.O. 1790 . ITS IN VERY GOOD CONDITION and there is no wear, it also has on the spade shield the flags of the four nations that make up the United Kingdom, but on the Scottish Lion Rampant its the complete lion rampant, on the real spade guineas its a half lion Rampant along with what I think are the three English leopards plus the other three nations emblems Ireland, Wales and England.
I got this from my late Grandfather and I would be grateful to know just what it is. Thanks.

kind regards
Adam

Answer
Hi Adam, It is likely a brass 'spade guinea' token that resembled the gold coins minted between 1787 and 1799. The shield was spade shaped. All genuine King George III (1760-1820) guineas weigh 8.35 grams, contain .2461 of an ounce of gold, and have a diameter of 24 millimeters. Many brass imitations, altered in design and date so they couldn't be prosecuted for counterfeiting, of this coin were used as gaming counters. They are easily distinguished as the legends are incorrect. The correct wording on the reverse of the genuine guinea is M B F ET H REX F D B ET L D S R I A T ET E (date). You might also try this site: http://www.24carat.co.uk/medallioninmemoryofthegoodolddaysframe.html .
If you have pictures (not over 1 megabyte each please) you can email them to me at tbirde@psknet.com.
Brad