Shilling (Bob)

Edward VI (1547-53) inherited a low-quality, debased coinage from his father Henry VIII (1509-1547). In 1551, Edward revoked his father’s policy of debasing coinage – as low as 25% fineness - and increased it back to 0.929 Fineness, slightly higher than Sterling. This is why this period was known as the Fine Silver Issue (1551-1553). The coins we are offering are well circulated and have been flattened and polished for use as gaming counters, possibly in Victorian times. These fine silver shillings feature the bust of the “Boy King” on the obverse with Tudor rose to the right, the reverse has a Quartered shield of arms over a long cross fourchée, the legend reading “I have made God my Helper” in Latin. Most were struck in London with the Tun (barrel) mintmark, and others were struck at York and have the mintmark “Y”, We only have a limited number of these Shillings available, they are in Very Good grade, and are at least 470 years old - some of the earliest silver shillings issued in Britain.

When Elizabeth took the throne in 1558, much of the country’s coinage was in a poor state after her father, Henry VIII’s debasement of silver coins. It was Elizabeth’s intention to raise the quality of the country’s coinage back up to Sterling quality, and in 1560, the Tower mint began striking her Fine Silver coins. They feature Elizabeth facing left on the obverse and cross over a shield on the reverse, they were struck between 1560 and 1602 and are getting very expensive in higher grades. For the first time in 13 years, we’re able to offer you Elizabeth I’s Fine Silver shillings, they are graded Fair as these were heavily circulated for about a century and are now up to 463 years old.

Bust 6B, S.2577. Good Very Fine and toned. A slight flan flaw to the obverse that doesn't detract from this excellent portrait and absolutely superb depiction of the Hand mintmark, scarce.