Victoria, Crown (Jubilee Head) Fine

Edward II also called Edward of Caernarfon, was King of England from 1307 until he was deposed in January 1327. Following the death of his father Edward “Longshanks”, Edward succeeded to the throne in 1307. The “Long Cross Penny” was the largest coin of the period and those of Edward II closely resemble those of his father. He adopted the same bust and legend. It takes a trained eye to spot differences in the lettering and the King's crown to spot a genuine Edward II. The pennies on offer here come in “Fine”. They are from London or Canterbury Mints, depending on availability. You have the crowned bust of the King on one side, under the name of Edward I. On the reverse you have CIVI TAS LONDON or CIVI TAS CANTOR, meaning “City of London (or Canterbury)”. This is the first time we have accumulated enough Edward II Pennies to offer you in almost three years, so get one while you can.

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 uncirculated grade.

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..