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More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
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guinea
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Gold coin first struck in the 1660s and named because gold from the *Guinea Coast in Africa was used to mint the early examples. Its value fluctuated until fixed in 1717 at one pound and one shilling (see *currency). It has not been in circulation since 1816, but until 1971 it remained the unit in which the accounts of certain long-established professions (such as lawyers, doctors, tailors) were presented – an easy way of adding 5% to the bill.
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