speaking of british speak -- question re: money

[Steve]

--- In HPFGU-OTChatter at yahoogroups.com, "richard_smedley"
<richard at s...> wrote:
> --- In HPFGU-OTChatter at yahoogroups.com, Marita Jan <maritajan at y...>
wrote:
> > 
> > ... I have a question about money. At one point, a woman says she 
> > was told "two pounds" and another  woman replies that the first 
> > woman is incorrect, it's "two  guineas."  .... What's the 
> > difference in amount of money?
 
 
> Richard: Hi there,
> 
> Before decimalisation there were 20 shillings in a pound.
> A guinea is 21 shillings. (iow a guinea is worth 5 per cent
> more than a pound.)
> 
> Guineas are still used in a few places such as the bloodstock
> market - and for racing prizes. ...
> 
> The Guinea was actually a gold coin issued in the 17th and
> 18th centuries. ...
> 
> ...
> 
>  - Richard

bboyminn:

I'm confused, you say that the Guinea was a gold coin from the 17th
and 18th centuries, then say that it's still used. Do you mean the
term 'Guinea' is still used, or do you mean they still mint the coins?
If the coins are still minted, are they considered real money, do they
have a fixed value recognised by the government beyond the value of
the gold itself? 

To the original poster, it would be nice to know the context of the
conversation that prompted the statement about the correctness of
'Pounds' vs 'Guineas'. We they talking in a modern context, were they
refering money in a historical context? 

Just curious

Steve/bboyminn