Homonym: Guineas (Animal)
Guineas are a historical unit of currency that originated in England, originally made from gold. They were first minted in 1663 and were worth 20 shillings, or one pound and four shillings. The term "guinea" is still used today in some contexts, particularly in horse racing and auctions, to denote a price slightly higher than a pound.
In addition to their monetary value, guineas are also associated with the Guinea pig, a small domesticated rodent often kept as a pet. Despite the name, guinea pigs are not from Guinea and are actually native to the Andes in South America.