George III, Halfcrown (Small Head) Fine

The farthing marked the start of a revolutionary coinage reform by Edward I. Until this time, the penny was the smallest denomination. Low value transactions could be conducted using pennies cut into halves or quarters. The act of cutting pennies into quarters or fourths was how the word Farthing or “fourthing” came about. These silver farthings were introduced by Edward I during the recoinage of 1279. They brought about the end of the practice of cutting coins into halves and quarters. The old coinage and the use of pennies cut into farthings remained legal tender until they were demonitised in August 1280. These coins were the smallest silver coins of the early medieval period and were well circulated and are now over 700 years old, and they are much scarcer than the Pennies. We have been putting these aside for many years and are delighted to offer them to you now, for the first time. Available in Fine, while stocks last.

Edward VII’s reign was very short, as he had to wait for his mother, Queen Victoria, to pass before he could become King. Coins for this Monarch were only issued from 1902-1910. Here we offer the 1910 Shilling, which of course was given to individuals when they joined the Services. You were said to take the King’s Shilling. This 1910 Shilling is in Very Good-Fine condition, and it was struck in Sterling Silver, which is the finest silver that coins actually meant to be used were struck in.

Queen Victoria came to the throne in 1837 and in 1838 they issued her first coinage. Because she was so young when she became Queen, this new coinage became known as Young Head Coins. In 1887 when she celebrated her Gold Jubilee, she finally allowed her portrait to be changed on the coins, this new portrait became known as the Jubilee Head Coinage. It only lasted from 1887 until 1892 when it was again changed. We have spent years accumulating enough 1887 Jubilee Head coins in high grades to offer them to you. All are struck in Sterling Silver and all are dated 1887 the first year of this new coinage. For years collectors have assumed that these coins are common. But in fact in the higher grades these coins have become very difficult to find. Prices while they have risen are still very affordable, especially when you think that they are 131 years old. On offer here is a Victoria 1887 shilling in extremely fine grade.