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| Half Guinea British Gold Coin, King George III |
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| Half Guinea British Gold Coin |
Obverse: Laureated head of George III right.
Legend: GEORGIVS III DEI GRATIA
Reverse: Crowned shield with British arms within Order of the Garger. Date (18-10) split below.
Order of the Garter Inscription: HONI . SOIT . QUI . MAL . Y . PENSE ("Shame be to him who thinks evil of it")
Legend: BRITANNIARUM REX FIDEI DEFENSOR
Weight: 4.19 gram of Gold (.917) .1231 Oz.
Diameter: 21 mm
Reference: Friedberg 364, S. 3737, KM-651. R!
This statement "Honi soit qui mal y pense" supposedly originated when King Edward III was dancing with his first cousin and daughter-in-law, Joan of Kent. Her garter slipped down to her ankle, causing those around her to snicker at her humiliation. In an act of chivalry Edward placed the garter around his own leg, saying "Honi soit qui mal y pense", and the phrase later became the motto of the Order.