2021-07-17 Sat

George-I was King of Great Britain and Ireland and ruler of the Duchy and Electorate of Brunswick-Luneburg (Hanover) in the Holy Roman Empire from 23 January 1698 until his death in 1727. He was the first British monarch of the House of Hanover.

During George's reign, the powers of the monarchy diminished and Britain began a transition to the modern system of cabinet government led by a prime minister. Towards the end of his reign, actual political power was held by Robert Walpole, now recognized as Britain's first de facto prime minister. George died of a stroke on a trip to his native Hanover, where he was buried. He is the most recent British monarch to be buried outside the United Kingdom.

The Guinea coins which were struck in 1714 were quite fascinating because it declares him the Prince Elector of the Holy Roman Empire. Throughout his reign, his Guinea coins bear five different portraits. The value of Guinea was fluctuated throughout the years from 20 to 30 shillings and back down to 21 shillings and sixpence at the start of George's reign. But on December 1717 a royal proclamation was declared which fixed the value of the guinea at 21shillings.

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