In 1966 Guernsey issued a rather unique-looking pre-decimal 10 shilling coin to mark the 900th Anniversary of the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. This is due to the fact that it is square with rounded corners and though it circulated as legal tender, we can offer you them in uncirculated condition. The obverse shows the second portrait of Queen Elizabeth II and the obverse has an image of William the Conqueror. Although he was known as Duke of Normandy before his invasion of England, he also controlled Guernsey since he expelled a colony of pirates back in 1061. Even today the British monarch holds the title of Duke of Normandy on the Channel Islands.
In 1957 the island of Jersey authorised a new threepence coin, or quarter of a shilling, which unlike its counterpart in the rest of the United Kingdom was round. On the obverse of the coin is the image of a crowned portrait of a young Queen Elizabeth II, while the reverse shows the island’s coat of arms with the value written underneath. These inexpensive coins come in Brilliant Uncirculated condition.
This double set of Jersey coins was issued by the Royal Mint in 1966. It contains two each of the 1/12th of a Shilling and 1/4th of a Shilling issued for the 900th Anniversary of the Norman Conquest 1066-1966. All four coins have H. M. Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse and are in Proof condition in a Royal Mint hard presentation case. Not a set you see that often these days. Only 25 sets in stock.
Before Jersey introduced the decimal system in 1971, it had a rather unique way of denominating its coins. One example of this is the old large penny, which stated that it was “One-twelfth of a shilling”. We have found a number of the 1964 “penny” in our stock, all of which are proofs. We also have a selection of proof “quarter shillings”, or an old threepence. On the obverse of both is a crowned portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, while the reverse shows the Coat of Arms of the Bailiwick of Jersey.
This 1/12 Shilling or, as we know it, a Penny was issued 1945 to honour the Liberation of Jersey from its German occupation during World War Two. You have the crowned portrait of King George VI on the obverse and the arms of Jersey on the reverse. It is in Brilliant Uncirculated condition and today it is becoming more and more difficult to find, especially so nice. The coin makes a most interesting and historic remembrance of World War Two and the fact that Jersey was under German rule.
Yes, it does say 1/12th Shillings... at the time these coins were issued Jersey did not use the Penny but rather the correct equivalent, or 1/12th of a Shilling. After all there were 12 Pennies to the Shilling. The first 1/12th of a Shilling was issued in 1945 under King George VI for the Liberation of Jersey from the Germans in the Second World War. The second coin was issued in 1960 for the 300th anniversary of the accession of King Charles II. This coin is in Brilliant Unc condition and now 64 years old. It is also one of only three commemorative Pennies or 1/12th of a Shilling that were issued.
Today it appears that mints want £8-£10 for a cupronickel crownsized coin. We know it is strange, but the older coins are much cheaper than the new ones. This 1966 crown was issued to commemorate the Norman Conquest. It carries the two dates, 1066 and 1966 as well as featuring an unusual portrait of the Queen. Priced at much less than the newer issues, we know which are better value...
In 1981 the island of Jersey issued a commemorative pound coin to mark the 200th Anniversary of the Battle of Jersey, which was an attempt by the French to invade the island in 1781 to protect its shipping lanes to America. The coin itself is square with rounded edges and shows Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse and on the reverse is the Badge of the Royal Jersey Militia, which was instrumental in repelling the French attack. We can offer these coins in uncirculated mint condition.