What is the origin of the guinea (1 pound & 1 shilling) Was the shilling to pay the professional's l

What is the origin of the guinea (1 pound & 1 shilling) Was the shilling to pay the professional's lackies?

Richard Hooker, Caterham, UK

• The gold used to make the Guinea coins (circa. 1717) was said to have come from Guinea, Africa. See the following URL: http://www.predecimal.com/p8milled.htm

  Ian Ward, Middx, UK