Coins of Queen Victoria’s reign are highly in-demand amongst collectors of British Coins. Queen Victoria’s reign began in 1837, after her uncle William IV died. Her reign saw the Golden Age of the British Empire, as well as numerous technological innovations brought by the industrial revolution.
Queen Victoria was born on May 24, 1819, at Kensington Palace, London. She became queen at 18 in 1837 and ruled for 63 years. Her reign was the second-longest in British History, giving coin collectors many dates and denominations from which to choose from. Some coin types were short-lived such as the Double-Florin, and some dates are rather peculiar such as the one seen on the Godless Florin.
Victoria married Prince Albert on the 10, February of 1840 and the two had 9 children together. Prince Alfred passed away in 1861 which left the Queen devastated. With his loss she entered a deep state of mourning wearing black and a veil for the rest of her life.
British coinage would later reflect the Queen's state of mourning. With both the Jubilee Head and Old Head portraits featuring the Queen wearing a veil.
Victorian coins went through 3 different periods, the Young Head Coinage, The Jubilee Coinage and the Old Head coinage. Her reign saw the introduction of the Florin (1/10th of a pound or 0.1 pounds) and the Double Florin. Although they would discontinue the Double Florin after only two years.
Victorian Coins for Sale
If you wish to buy Victorian coins, we have available below coins from all three periods of her coinage. Including some Queen Victoria rare coins.
Pre-Decimal Denomination: Farthing or Half Penny or Penny or Fourpence (Groat) or Sixpence (Tanner) or Shilling (Bob) or Double Florin or Halfcrown or Crown or Half Sovereign or Sovereign (One Pound)
This Sterling Silver Crown of Queen Victoria still had the Jubilee Head of Victoria on it. It was also the largest silver coin issued at the time. Robert Cecil, Marquis of Salisbury was our Prime Minister. Birmingham had been granted status as a city and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds was founded. Preston North End won the FA Cup and Charlie Chaplin was born. This Crown or 5 Shilling piece was a considerable amount of money at the time, it was Sterling Silver and our largest non gold coin. Victoria is on one side with her hair done up in a bun for the Jubilee and the reverse had St. George slaying the dragon. 1889 is not the easiest date to find of the series and all the coins on offer are in Very Good/Fine condition. Which considering they are now 128 years old is quite fantastic.
The Jubilee Head Crown for Queen Victoria was issued from 1887-1892. Not surprisingly, the more difficult dates to get are the later dates. As everyone saved the first few and then because they were a lot of money, they forgot to save the rest. We are offering all the dates from 1889-1892 in Very Good or better condition. All the Sterling Silver Crowns are in at least Very Good condition. On offer here is the 1890 crown.
We recently bought a nice group of Queen Victoria Jubilee Head Crowns issued 1887-1892. They have the Jubilee Head of the Queen on one side and St. George slaying the dragon on the other side. They are the largest silver coin struck for Queen Victoria and are struck in Sterling Silver. These coins are in Fine condition; they were carefully selected, so there are no defects, no scratches no edge knocks. Nicely well-graded coins for your collection. We have been looking around and we're amazed at just how much certain companies are charging for these coins. At Coincraft if we make a good buy, you make a good buy. Remember that all of these coins have been specially selected and they are Sterling Silver.
As most collectors know, Queen Victoria kept her youthful portrait on coinage from 1837 until 1887. It was only later in 1887, when she was celebrating her Golden Jubilee, that she allowed the portrait to be changed. This new portrait became known as the Jubilee Head portrait. We have Fine examples of the largest Silver coin issued at the time, the Crown or Five Shilling piece. Normally they come in Very Good condition, our examples are in Fine quality, which will please most collectors. Dates will be of our choice, but this Jubilee Head Crown was only issued from 1887-1892. They are struck in Sterling Silver and are above average for the coin. Our supplies are limited.
The Queen Victoria Jubilee Head Crown (1887-1892) (38mm) was struck in Sterling Silver and is one of the last two types of Victorian crowns ever made. It's over 100 years old. We recently bought a group of these, because they were, we thought, rather inexpensive. We are offering them to you now, so you can share in our good purchase. They are antique, they are Sterling Silver and they are inexpensive. Offered here in Fine.
In the long reign of Queen Victoria, the second longest reign of any British Monarch, the last two types of crowns issued were the Jubilee Head Crown (1887-1892) and the Old Head Crown (1893-1900). Here we present the Jubilee Head Crown in Sterling Silver. The Crown is the largest and most valuable silver coin struck in her reign. The Jubilee Head Crown was only struck from 1887-1892. In those days a Crown was a lot of money, not many of us would have been able to own a crown. The Crowns are struck in Sterling Silver and are in Very Good condition and at least 120 years old!
During Queen Victoria's reign, there were four types of crowns issued (the 1839 crown was Proof only) but only three types were actually issued for circulation. The Jubilee Head 1887-1892 in VG.
In the long reign of Queen Victoria, there were four main types of Sterling Silver Crowns issued. The Young Head, Gothic, Jubilee Head and Old Head Crowns. Here we present the Old Head 1893-1900. Each crown is a full 38mm and struck in Sterling Silver. Dates will be of our choice, but the more of a type that you order, the more different dates we will try and give you. They can certainly be called antiques, the only thing that is not antique is the price you pay. Remember they were struck in Sterling Silver and have the portrait of Queen Victoria on them. Each crown is in Very Good or better condition and original and genuine as is everything we sell.
The Old Head series we are featuring. It is quite easy to collect as a type collection. Here we have available the Crown in different grades, dates will be as they come, no point in requesting a special date.
The last coinage of Queen Victoria is called either the Old Head Coinage or the Widow’s Head Coinage. The largest denomination struck in Sterling Silver is the Crown or Five Shilling piece. You have the bust of Queen Victoria on one side and St. George and the dragon on the other side. These Victorian Crowns are struck in Sterling Silver and are in Very Good – Fine condition. We will give you the best example of an 1897 Crown that we have in stock when your order is received.
In the long reign of Queen Victoria there were three main designs used. Here we are offering the Old or Widow Head Crown in Fine. Dates will be of our choice depending on what we have in stock when the order comes in. But as always fair grading and priced to make them attractive.
In 1839 they struck the first Victorian Crown, but this date was only for the Proof Set and not for general circulation. It wasn’t until 1844 that they struck coins for the public to use. They only made them in 1844, 1845, and 1847 and then they didn’t make another Crown until 1887. This Sterling Silver Crown has the Young Head of Queen Victoria on one side and a crowned shield on the other side. Because there was a 40-year gap between the last Young Head Crown and the first Jubilee Head Crown, the Young Head Crowns generally come quite well used however, the coins on offer are in Very Fine condition a grade we haven’t been able to offer for a while. Even now the number we have is extremely limited...
When Queen Victoria took the throne, they issued Silver Crowns to honour the new Queen. They were struck in Sterling Silver and were only issued in 1844, 1845 and 1847 for circulation. In Very Good condition.
The Double Florin was only issued for 4 years from 1887 to 1890 during the Queen’s Golden Jubilee period. A Double florin was 4 shillings, a shilling less than a Crown. This small difference proved to be very expensive and caused no end of problems, so in 1890 they stopped minting them altogether. These are struck in Sterling Silver and have the Queen’s Jubilee Bust on the obverse, the reverse has crowned cruciform shields around central the Garter star, four sceptres with national emblems fill the angles. We have a group of 1887 Double Florins in Nearly extremely Fine condition available, most would call them EF, but while stocks last, we can offer them at a Special Price. A shortlived, large silver Victorian coin in high grade and approaching 140 years old!
When Queen Victoria celebrated her Golden Jubilee in 1887, she not only allowed them to change her portrait but also to issue a new denomination. That was the Double Florin which was equivalent to Four Shillings. It was almost crownsized and struck in Sterling Silver. Today we have an equivalent coin, but we call it a 20 Pence. Shows what time and inflation will do to money. The Double Florin was also known as the Bar-Maids ruin. After she had had a few drinks, the bar-maid would often give change for a Crown and not a Double Florin. That Shilling difference was a lot of money and came directly from the Bar-Maids wages. This Double Florin was only made from 1887-1890. In the past we have offered the Queen Victoria Double Florin in Fine and even in Very Fine, now we can offer them in Extremely Fine condition. These are super coins and most are dated 1887, remember they are struck in Sterling Silver and they have the Jubilee Head portrait of the Queen.
The Double Florin was a short-lived denomination 1887-1890, which had a value of four shillings and was struck in Sterling Silver. We have bought a nice group the last and more difficult date, 1890, they are in Very Good and Fine condition. The collector had something for that date and put aside all that he saw over a rather long period of time. These coins were also known as ‘The Barmaid’s Ruin’ as they often mistook the four-shilling piece for a crown or five-shilling piece. We are going to offer this better date coin at the same price we would charge for a regular date of Double Florin. All coins are dated 1890 and are available in two different grades, Fine the choice is yours…
Do you have this Victorian Silver Coin in your pocket? Well no actually you don’t, but you might have the direct decimal equivalent. If you have in your pocket or handbag a 20p piece please get it out. Because the coin we are offering you is the same denomination but in Victorian spending money. The famous or infamous Victorian Double Florin (Four Sterling Silver Shillings) would be worth 20p in today’s money. Here we present the coin in Fine condition. First issued for Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee in 1887 the Double Florin was last issued in 1890. Too many drunk barmaids gave change for a crown 5 shillings when they were only given a Double Florin 4 shillings. This helped to get them to stop making this short-lived denomination. Its nickname quickly became ‘the barmaid’s ruin’, for all those barmaids who gave the wrong change and were ruined..
While you might not have this Victorian silver coin in your pocket, you probably have its direct decimal equivalent. If you have in your pocket or handbag a 20p piece please get it out. Because the coin we are going to offer you is the same denomination but in Victorian spending money. The famous or infamous Double Florin or Four Sterling Silver Shillings, and in today’s money 20p. First issued for Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee in 1887 the Double Florin was last issued in 1890. Too many drunk barmaids gave change for a crown 5 shillings when they were only given a Double Florin 4 shillings. This helped to get them to stop making this short-lived denomination. Its nickname had quickly become ‘the barmaid’s ruin’, for all those barmaids who gave the wrong change and were ruined...
The Double Florin or Bar Maid’s Ruin as it was known was only struck from 1887 until 1890. By then they decided that the denomination was causing more trouble than it was solving and they ceased making it. A Double Florin was four Shillings almost crownsized and struck in Sterling Silver. It was issued as part of the new Jubilee Head issue to celebrate Queen Victoria’s 50th year as our Queen. They were well and truly used and we are offering them in Very Good condition. They are dated between 1887-1890.
In our opinion, the Old Head or Widow Head but of Queen Victoria is the most underappreciated of the three different busts made during her reign. Here we offer the Old Head Farthing in VG-F. Dates will be of our choice.
These Victorian Young Head Farthings were struck in copper from 1838-1860 from then they were made thinner and struck in bronze. We love these copper coins because of their thickness and Victoria’s portrait. Don’t forget she only came to the throne in 1837. Dates of our choice, but the more you order the more dates we will try and give you.
A nice parcel of Queen Victoria Copper Farthings has just arrived. These are the thick coins actually struck in Copper and not bronze as the later pieces were. You have the Young Head of Queen Victoria on one side and a seated Britannia on the other side. Today these coins are getting more and more difficult to find. They were made from 1838-1859 for circulation. The group we got in had a number of different dates, unfortunately, none of the rare ones. This product comes in fine grade. We have not received a parcel like this in years and we are certain these coins will sell very quickly. The more coins you order the more different dates we will try and give you.
When Queen Victoria came to the throne the smaller coins were struck in Copper, rather than the bronze that they used from 1860. You have the beautiful Young Head of Queen Victoria on one side and the figure of a seated Britannia on the other side. They were issued from 1839-1859 for circulation. The coins on offer are in Very Fine condition, which is quite high grade for these coins. Remember they were in everyday usage and therefore saw a lot of wear. The usual grade they come in is Very Good or maybe Fine, the coins on offer are in Very Fine condition. Dates will be of our choice, but the more you order the more different dates we will try and give you.
The Young Head portrait is the first depiction of Queen Victoria on coins. It was created by the Royal Mint's chief engraver at the time, William Wyon. They introduced it in 1838 and used the portrait until 1895 on bronze coins.
1887 Victoria Jubilee Coinage
In 1887, they changed the design of the silver and gold coins for the Queen's Golden Jubilee. But they only placed the design on the Maundy coinage in 1881. The Jubilee head coinage featured a depiction of Queen Victoria by Joseph Edgar Boehm. In this design the Queen is wearing her small diamond crown, a design choice that was very controversial at the time.
Many numismatists have expressed their dislike for this choice. Including our founder, Richard Lobel, who said that "the small crown placed on the back of the queen's head made her look a bit foolish" in our in our Standard Catalogue of English and UK Coins
An important coinage change that occurred during this period was the introduction of the Double Florin.
1893 Victoria Old Head Coinage
The Old Head coinage or Veiled Head coinage featured Queen Victoria wearing a diadem partially hidden by a widow’s veil. The coins of this type were struck between 1893 and 1901, and the portrait on the obverse was designed by Thomas Brock.
New Denominations Introduced in Victorian Coinage
Florin - Gothic & Godless
They made the first Florin in 1849 which was exactly 1/10th of a pound or 0.1 pounds. That denomination still exists today: we call it a 10 Pence Piece. But there were some problems...
They forgot to place ‘Dei Gratia’ – by the grace of God on the coin. So they quickly had to withdraw the coin and issued the Gothic Florin until two years later in 1851. Collectors also know the 1849 Florin as the 'Godless' Florin for that reason. It is only a one-year type coin and very important as our first decimal coin in over a thousand years.
In 1851, they changed the design of the Florin to the Gothic portrait. This new design featured a crowned portrait of the Queen facing left on the obverse, and four crowned coats of arms on the reverse.
What's strange about this coin is its date. At the time a large part of the population was illiterate, but yet, instead of using the numbers we know today as Arabic numerals, they used Roman numerals. This meant that a large part of the populace could not even read the date on the coin. As 1872 became (MDCCC) Ixxii.
Double Florin – the Barmaid’s ruin
They first issued the Double Florin in 1887 for the Queen's Golden Jubilee, and they last issued it in 1890. It gained the nickname "Barmaid's ruin" during its short-lived existence.
The nickname happened because barmaids often made mistakes when giving change. They would give change for a 5 shilling coin instead of change for a 4 shilling coin. This helped to get them to stop making this short-lived denomination.
This coin is the equivalent to a 20p piece in Victorian spending money (Four Sterling Silver Shillings).