55) Transformation of a five
shillings coin (crown) into the U.K. twenty-five pence and later into the five Pound coin
The
currency/coinage in use in the United Kingdom (U.K.) (as well some other
countries till various points of time) until decimalisation was adopted by the
U.K. in 1971 , consisted of 20 shillings to a Pound and 12 pence to a shilling,
thus a British Pound consisted of 240 pence to a Pound.
A few interesting coins
consisting of multiple shillings were as under:
-
A
florin which consisted of two shillings which was accepted in circulation till
1992, when it passed into history and was replaced by the new ten pence. (Please
refer my blog post on the following link: Transformation of a two shilling coin (Florin) into the UK Ten Pence.
-
The
half-crown which consisted of two
shillings and six pence or one-eighth of a Pound, which ceased to be in
circulation upon decimalisation in 1971 and was not replaced by any other coin
post-decimalisation.
-
The
double florin (four shillings) has after decimalisation been replaced by the 20
pence coin/value.
-
The “crown” of five shillings was the highest
denomination of non-bullion U.K coins in circulation and upon decimalisation
were replaced by the twenty-five shilling coins. However, in practice, crowns
were mostly commemorative coins and not used in general circulation. (As the
name suggests, they were mostly issued in bulk upon the coronation of British
Sovereigns).
- While the replacements of multiple shillings are given above, as
per valuations, the one shilling coin was replaced by the U.K. five pence
post-decimalisation which was initially called the “bob” (a nickname for a
shilling).
-
Based
on par valuations to the U.K. Pound, shillings issued in various countries
under British rule/influence included the Irish shilling, Australian shilling,
New Zealand shilling, East African shilling and Somali shillings till they were
replaced by their own local currencies following decimalisation in these countries.
In British Ceylon, (present day Sri Lanka), a shilling was equivalent to eight
fanams (also a recognised currency in several Indian kingdoms).
-
It
is interesting to know that, at a time when UK still had shillings (made of
silver till the 1940s), they were worth a considerable amount of money. A
person having five shillings in his pocket was considered very well off. This
is not the case with a U.K. twenty five pence (after decimalisation in 1971) or even the Five Pound coin which is its present day equivalent value since 1990.
Historical reference:
The British
Crown was introduced as the replacement currency to the English Crown (first
introduced in 1544 in gold, with the first silver crown being introduced in
1551 with Edward VI on horseback and a Coat of Arms on the reverse) and also, the
Scottish dollar, in the United Kingdom (U.K.) in 1707 with a value of five
shillings. Initially, its weight was
about one ounce during the 19th and 20th centuries; it
was mostly treated as a Commemorative coin instead of circulating currency.
The Crown
was initially struck as a large silver coin with 0.925 silver (or 92.5% silver)
and 7.5% copper. From the nineteenth century, it was mostly used as a
Commemorative coin. from the coronation of Edward VII onwards, (with the
exception of George V) it was struck in a
Sovereign’s coronation year apart from commemorating other important events. Even during the coronation of the present reigning
Queen Elizabeth (the Diamond Jubilee of her reign is being presently celebrated
in 2012 and commemorative coins issued by the Royal Mint), the Crown was issued
but with an entirely changed composition of Cupro-nickel ( as silver was not
used in U.K. coinage after 1947, as the prohibitive cost of silver during/after
the two World Wars had compelled the
Royal Mint to introduce 50% silver in 1920 and to eliminate its use altogether
in Coinage since 1947). Even in British India coinage Quaternary silver (50%
silver) was used since 1940 and in 1947 i.e. the year of Indian Independence
the coins issued did not contain any silver.
Nevertheless,
some Proof issues by the Royal Mint for sale to Collectors have been produced
as gift items in silver (original composition of 92.5% silver), Gold and even
Platinum.
Since 1816,
the dimensions and weight of a crown have been standardised to have a diameter
of 38.61 mm and weight of 28.28 gms. The term crown sized is generally used for
large silver or cupro-nickel coins of about the same diameter even today.
From 1544
to 1965, mostly there was no mention of the value of this coin, although it had
an exchange value of 5 shillings. From 1927 to 1937 the word “crown” was
engraved on the coin and from 1951 to 1960, the words “five shillings” were
mentioned on the obverse instead of Crown.
After decimalisation was introduced in the U.K. in 1971, the face value was kept at 25 new pence and later 25 pence (equivalent of five shillings/Crown), but the face value was not shown on any of these issues.
After decimalisation was introduced in the U.K. in 1971, the face value was kept at 25 new pence and later 25 pence (equivalent of five shillings/Crown), but the face value was not shown on any of these issues.
During
Queen Victoria’s reign, “Gothic” design crowns were issued in 1947 and during
George V’s reign although the Crown was not issued during his coronation “Wreath”
design on the reverse crowns were issued, except in 1935 when the Rocking Horse
design was engraved to commemorate George V’s reign’s Silver Jubilee. Crowns
were issued to commemorate George VI’s coronation with 50% silver for the last
time, before the switch to Cupro-nickel composition.
The first coins issued with the revised composition were in 1951 celebrating the “Festival of Britain”. Later, they were issued in 1953 commemorating the coronation of the present reigning Queen Elizabeth II with the Cupro-Nickel composition, then again in 1953 ( British Exhibition in New York), in 1965 (marking/mourning the “death of Winston Churchill”).
The first coins issued with the revised composition were in 1951 celebrating the “Festival of Britain”. Later, they were issued in 1953 commemorating the coronation of the present reigning Queen Elizabeth II with the Cupro-Nickel composition, then again in 1953 ( British Exhibition in New York), in 1965 (marking/mourning the “death of Winston Churchill”).
Issues after 1972 (i.e. after the
decimalisation of U.K. coinage in 1971) were changed to 25 pence coins.
Accordingly, Cupro-nickel 25 pence commemorative coins celebrating Queen
Elizabeth’s 25th Wedding anniversary (1972) , her Silver Jubilee
(1977), Queen Mother’s 80th Birthday (1980), Charles and Diana’s
wedding (1981) etc. The 25 pence commemorative coins mentioned here were also
issued with the same specifications as a crown (i.e. 38.61 mm in diameter and
weighing 28.28 gms).
Interestingly,
in 1990, it was felt that after decimalisation in 1971, the size, composition
and value of the crown or 25 pence was not commensurate with its production
costs, which far exceeded the value of the coin, hence, the value of the Crown
was revised to “Five Pounds” by the Royal Mint and the value of Five Pounds is
inscribed on Commemorative coin issues since 1990.
This revision gives the Crown coin a
value consistent with its weight and size in relation to the current range of
coins.
Nevertheless, the value of
crowns issued prior to 1990 continues at 25 pence. Thus, if you refer my post No.51
“Coins Commemorating London Olympic Games 2012 and Paralympics Games 2012” posted
on 01.01.12 on this blog, you will notice that both the official Commemorative
coins for the London Olympics as well as the London Paralympics have been
issued in the Five Pound denomination with the same dimensions and weight as a Crown
(i.e. 38.61 mm in diameter and weighing 28.28 gms). A reference link to this post is placed at the bottom of this post.
The above
image is of a crown issued in 1953, celebrating the coronation of Queen
Elizabeth II, the present reigning Sovereign. This coin is from the collection
of young Kavish Hukmani, who is an avid numismatist and has recently, made an
impressive presentation in his school/class on “coin collecting and
cataloguing” as a hobby. This coin has been given to him by his class teacher
as a complimentary gift in recognition of his enthusiasm for his hobby.
The image
shows Queen Elizabeth II wearing a cap/beret and riding a horse. On the outer periphery
the words “ELIZABETH.II.DEI.GRATIA.BRITT.OMN.REGINA.FEDEI.DEFENSOR” (Translated
into English, it means “ELIZABETH II, BY THE GRACE OF GOD, OF ALL THE BRITONS,
QUEEN, DEFENDER OF THE FAITH”.
Interestingly, I have noticed a flaw in the Inscription in the above
coin.
The term “FEDEI DEFENSOR” (Defender of the Faith) is used for Kings/Sovereigns while the term “FEDEI DEFENSATRIX” is the title given to a Queen. (Please refer my Post No. (53) “The story of the Australian Penny” posted on 12.02.12 - A reference link given at the bottom of this post). On either side of the Horse are two identical images of the Royal Crown with the inscription “E II R” (meaning Elizabeth II Regina). The coin is minted with a cupro-nickel composition.
The Obverse designer is Gilbert Ledward and the theme is “The Queen’s Coronation”.
The term “FEDEI DEFENSOR” (Defender of the Faith) is used for Kings/Sovereigns while the term “FEDEI DEFENSATRIX” is the title given to a Queen. (Please refer my Post No. (53) “The story of the Australian Penny” posted on 12.02.12 - A reference link given at the bottom of this post). On either side of the Horse are two identical images of the Royal Crown with the inscription “E II R” (meaning Elizabeth II Regina). The coin is minted with a cupro-nickel composition.
The Obverse designer is Gilbert Ledward and the theme is “The Queen’s Coronation”.
The Royal
Mint having got used to using the term “Defensor” from the time of Edward VII’s
coronation in 1902, have erroneously continued with the term even in the case
of the Queen. I wonder, whether in the face of this glaring oversight, whether
this coin qualifies as an “error coin” (like in the case of the Commemorative
State quarters one lot of which was minted with the inscription “In God ,We
Rust” in place of (“Trust”). If the
Crown issued in 1953, does qualify as an error coin, then the value of this coin
would be much more than other issues during Queen Elizabeth II’s reign.
In the next
issue of Crowns during Queen Elizabeth II’s in 1960 (as shown above),(commemorating
the British Exhibition in New York), the term was reduced to a simple abbreviation
“F.D.”, so we have no way of knowing whether this error was ever detected and
acknowledged by the Royal Mint .
The reverse
of the Crown issued in 1953 on Queen Elizabeth II ascension to the throne. This
face shows the Royal Shield from the Royal Coat of Arms (also carried on the
One Pound coins issued from 2008 onwards).
The Reverse
Designers are Cecil Thomas/Edgar Fuller. The theme is the four quarterings of
the Royal Arms each contained in a shield and arranged in saltire with a rose,
a thistle, a sprig of shamrock and a leek . In the centre is the Royal Crown .
At the bottom is mentioned 1953
indicating the year of issue.
The edge
inscription reads :”FAITH AND TRUTH I WILL BEAR UNTO YOU”.
A photo of Kavish is given below:
I have purchased a five Pound Coin from the Royal Mint commemorating the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II.
On the reverse is her image as a young “Regina” (Queen) wearing only a laurel crown/wreath, designed by Ian Rank-Broadley, (inspired by the famous design of Mary Gillick, which is also found on the Australian penny viz:"The story of the Australian Penny” mentioned two posts before on this blog).The inscription reads "DIRIGE DEUS GRESSUS MEOS (MAY GOD GUIDE MY STEPS).
On the obverse is a present day image of the Queen designed by Ian Rank-Broadley too. The coin has the same specifications as the Crown.
Thus, these coins, inter alia, tell of the story of a young Queen Elizabeth II’s Coronation
(through Kavish’s Crown/five shillings) and of her continuing reign through the Diamond
Jubilee celebration 5 Pounds issue, having the same specifications as a Crown.
A Fairy
tale story indeed!!
REFERENCE LINKS:
Transformation of a two shilling coin (Florin) into the UK Ten Pence
Coins Commemorating London Olympics and Paralympic Games:
http://exclusivecoins.blogspot.in/2012/01/51-coins-commemorating-london-olympic.html
The story of the Australian penny:
http://exclusivecoins.blogspot.in/2012/02/53-story-of-australian-penny.html
Links:
British Crown Dependencies:
1) Specimen Banknotes from the States of Jersey
2) Coinage and Currency from the States of Jersey
3) Currency & Coinage of the Bailiwick of Guernsey
4) Currency & Coinage of Gibraltar : An Overseas Territory of Great Britain
5) Coinage of Gibraltar: (A British Overseas Territory): An Uncirculated Decimal Coin Collection Set minted by the Tower Mint, UK in 2010
6) The Isle of Man: An Uncirculated Decimal Coin Collection Set minted by Pobjoy Mint, UK in 2015
7) The Centenary of the ill-fated Titanic (15.04.1912 - 15.04.2012): An Alderney Five Pound Coin Commemorating the Maritime Legend
8) "Man of Steel": A Superman Movie: A set of stamps brought out in 2013 by Jersey post, the States of Jersey, commemorating Henry William Dalgliesh Cavill who played Superman in the Movie
9) Coins & Currency of Bermuda
10) The Bailiwick of Jersey - Presently circulating coinage - Pounds and Pence
11) St. Helena & Ascension Islands: An Uncirculated Coin Set from 2003
12) The Legend of the "HMAV Bounty" is interwoven with the heritage of the Pitcairn Islands: An uncirculated coin set from Pitcairn Islands in 2009 depicting the icons/relics of the Bounty minted by the New Zealand Mint
Famous Battles:
1) Bicentenary of the Battle of Waterloo and Napoleon's Exile to St. Helena: (Part I): A One Crown Commemorative coin issued by the Ascension Island (minted by Pobjoy Mint UK)
2) Bicentenary of the Battle of Waterloo and Napoleon's Exile to st. Helena: (Part II) 1) A 5 GBP Coin issued by the Royal Mint UK. 2) A"Drie Landen Zilverset" ( ot the "Three Lands Silver set") containing coins issued by the Royal Dutch Mint including coins of Netherlands, Belgium and UK
3) Commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain by issuing a 50 Pence coin by the Royal Mint UK
Gold Coins:
1) Gold Sovereigns issued in 2013 & 2014 by MMTC-PAMP in India under licence from the Royal Mint, UK, carrying the "I" Mint Mark
2) Gold Half-Sovereigns minted by MMTC-PAMP in India in 2014 under licence from the Royal Mint UK bearing the "I" Mint Mark
Silver Coins:
1) A 20 Pound Silver coin minted for the first timr by the royal Mint UK: reverse design carries the famous St. George slaying the dragon design found on Gold Sovereigns
British India Coinage:
1) East India Company Quarter Anna Copper Coin which is one of the first issues under the Coinage Act 1835
2) Victoria Coinage: When she was Queen and afterwards Empress
3) Edward VII: King & Emperor Coinage
4) George V King Emperor Coinage
5) George VI: The last of the British India Emperors Coinage
Other British Royalty:
1) Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee Celebrations (1952-2012): A Five Pound Commemorative coin issued by the Royal Mint, UK
2) Commemorating Queen Elizabeth II's Coronation in 1953: A Five Pound Coin minted by the Royal Mint UK in 2013, depicting the Imperial State Crown
3) The Royal Coat of Arms of the UK: Great British 2012 Coin Set (Uncirculated) issued by the Royal Mint UK
4) Prince George's Christening Ceremony celebrated with coins issued by the Royal Mint UK in 2013
5) The British Empire: A Case of Numismatic "segregation": (Guest Post by Rahul Kumar)
6) 1) The Portrait Collection: Various Portraits of Queen Elizabeth II on Coinage 2) The Fourth & Final Circulating coinage of the Portrait designed by Ian Rank-Broadley and the First Edition of the portrait of the Queen made by Jody Clark
British Coinage:
1) The contribution of the Great British One-Pound coins in keeping alive the historical legends/emblems/heritage of the UK (1983 onwards)
2) Transformation of a Five shilling Coin (Crown) into the UK Twenty-five Pence & then the Five Pound Coin
3) Transformation of the Two Shilling Coin (Florin) Coin into the UK Ten Pence
4) The 350th Anniversary of the Guinea: A Two Pound Coin issued by the Royal Mint UK celebrating the milestone
Commemorative British Coinage:
1) Commemorating the Bicentenary of Charles Dickens: A Two pound coin celebrating his literary contributions during the Victorian Era
2) Commemorating 50 Years of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) - presently called the World Wide Fund for Nature by issue of a Fifty Pence coin by the Royal Mint, UK
3) Coins commemorating London Olympics & Paralympics (2012)
4) Commemorating 150 Years of the London Underground : Two pound Coins minted by the Royal Mint UK, showing the "Roundel" logo and a train emerging from a tunnel
5) Commemorating the 100th Birth anniversary of Christopher Ironside with his" Royal Arms" design on a 50 Pence coin issued by the Royal Mint, UK
6) 800th Anniversary of the Magna Carta - the Universal Guidepost to Liberty and Freedom
Inspirations from Scottish History:
1) The Legend of King Bruce & the Spider on Banknotes
Banknotes from Scotland:
1) Commemorating Sir William Arrol and his creation the Forth Rail Bridge by issues of Britain's first ever 5 Pound Polymer Banknote
REFERENCE LINKS:
Transformation of a two shilling coin (Florin) into the UK Ten Pence
Coins Commemorating London Olympics and Paralympic Games:
http://exclusivecoins.blogspot.in/2012/01/51-coins-commemorating-london-olympic.html
The story of the Australian penny:
http://exclusivecoins.blogspot.in/2012/02/53-story-of-australian-penny.html
Links:
British Crown Dependencies:
1) Specimen Banknotes from the States of Jersey
2) Coinage and Currency from the States of Jersey
3) Currency & Coinage of the Bailiwick of Guernsey
4) Currency & Coinage of Gibraltar : An Overseas Territory of Great Britain
5) Coinage of Gibraltar: (A British Overseas Territory): An Uncirculated Decimal Coin Collection Set minted by the Tower Mint, UK in 2010
6) The Isle of Man: An Uncirculated Decimal Coin Collection Set minted by Pobjoy Mint, UK in 2015
7) The Centenary of the ill-fated Titanic (15.04.1912 - 15.04.2012): An Alderney Five Pound Coin Commemorating the Maritime Legend
8) "Man of Steel": A Superman Movie: A set of stamps brought out in 2013 by Jersey post, the States of Jersey, commemorating Henry William Dalgliesh Cavill who played Superman in the Movie
9) Coins & Currency of Bermuda
10) The Bailiwick of Jersey - Presently circulating coinage - Pounds and Pence
11) St. Helena & Ascension Islands: An Uncirculated Coin Set from 2003
12) The Legend of the "HMAV Bounty" is interwoven with the heritage of the Pitcairn Islands: An uncirculated coin set from Pitcairn Islands in 2009 depicting the icons/relics of the Bounty minted by the New Zealand Mint
Famous Battles:
1) Bicentenary of the Battle of Waterloo and Napoleon's Exile to St. Helena: (Part I): A One Crown Commemorative coin issued by the Ascension Island (minted by Pobjoy Mint UK)
2) Bicentenary of the Battle of Waterloo and Napoleon's Exile to st. Helena: (Part II) 1) A 5 GBP Coin issued by the Royal Mint UK. 2) A"Drie Landen Zilverset" ( ot the "Three Lands Silver set") containing coins issued by the Royal Dutch Mint including coins of Netherlands, Belgium and UK
3) Commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain by issuing a 50 Pence coin by the Royal Mint UK
Gold Coins:
1) Gold Sovereigns issued in 2013 & 2014 by MMTC-PAMP in India under licence from the Royal Mint, UK, carrying the "I" Mint Mark
2) Gold Half-Sovereigns minted by MMTC-PAMP in India in 2014 under licence from the Royal Mint UK bearing the "I" Mint Mark
Silver Coins:
1) A 20 Pound Silver coin minted for the first timr by the royal Mint UK: reverse design carries the famous St. George slaying the dragon design found on Gold Sovereigns
British India Coinage:
1) East India Company Quarter Anna Copper Coin which is one of the first issues under the Coinage Act 1835
2) Victoria Coinage: When she was Queen and afterwards Empress
3) Edward VII: King & Emperor Coinage
4) George V King Emperor Coinage
5) George VI: The last of the British India Emperors Coinage
Other British Royalty:
1) Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee Celebrations (1952-2012): A Five Pound Commemorative coin issued by the Royal Mint, UK
2) Commemorating Queen Elizabeth II's Coronation in 1953: A Five Pound Coin minted by the Royal Mint UK in 2013, depicting the Imperial State Crown
3) The Royal Coat of Arms of the UK: Great British 2012 Coin Set (Uncirculated) issued by the Royal Mint UK
4) Prince George's Christening Ceremony celebrated with coins issued by the Royal Mint UK in 2013
5) The British Empire: A Case of Numismatic "segregation": (Guest Post by Rahul Kumar)
6) 1) The Portrait Collection: Various Portraits of Queen Elizabeth II on Coinage 2) The Fourth & Final Circulating coinage of the Portrait designed by Ian Rank-Broadley and the First Edition of the portrait of the Queen made by Jody Clark
British Coinage:
1) The contribution of the Great British One-Pound coins in keeping alive the historical legends/emblems/heritage of the UK (1983 onwards)
2) Transformation of a Five shilling Coin (Crown) into the UK Twenty-five Pence & then the Five Pound Coin
3) Transformation of the Two Shilling Coin (Florin) Coin into the UK Ten Pence
4) The 350th Anniversary of the Guinea: A Two Pound Coin issued by the Royal Mint UK celebrating the milestone
Commemorative British Coinage:
1) Commemorating the Bicentenary of Charles Dickens: A Two pound coin celebrating his literary contributions during the Victorian Era
2) Commemorating 50 Years of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) - presently called the World Wide Fund for Nature by issue of a Fifty Pence coin by the Royal Mint, UK
3) Coins commemorating London Olympics & Paralympics (2012)
4) Commemorating 150 Years of the London Underground : Two pound Coins minted by the Royal Mint UK, showing the "Roundel" logo and a train emerging from a tunnel
5) Commemorating the 100th Birth anniversary of Christopher Ironside with his" Royal Arms" design on a 50 Pence coin issued by the Royal Mint, UK
6) 800th Anniversary of the Magna Carta - the Universal Guidepost to Liberty and Freedom
Inspirations from Scottish History:
1) The Legend of King Bruce & the Spider on Banknotes
Banknotes from Scotland:
1) Commemorating Sir William Arrol and his creation the Forth Rail Bridge by issues of Britain's first ever 5 Pound Polymer Banknote
Hello,
ReplyDeleteI do have a coin as per your post , 1953, five shillings which I am holding since late 50.What is the current value in Rupees.? Since it was given as a gift and lost contact, I do not mind to sell to the needy for this error coin value(FEDEI DEFENSOR
Regards
Thank you for your comment. You could check up the current quotes for this coin on e-bay. Also, you could mention your contact details so that any interested visitors to this blog may get in touch.
ReplyDeleteThe above image is of a crown issued in 1953, celebrating the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, the present reigning Sovereign.
ReplyDeleteCUSTOMCHALLENGE-COINS.COM
Thank you, Robert. Visited your website. Very interesting !!
ReplyDeleteI've visited your blog.I like your Post.Its well deserved! keep up the good work!You deserve the recognition. You have a great site.thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWhite Metal Gift Items Online | Best Wedding Return Gifts
Thank you for your appreciative comment.
DeleteI do have a coin as per your post , 1953, five shillings which I am holding since 5yr.What is the current value in Rupees.? Or dollar coin value(FEDEI DEFENSR
ReplyDeleteThanks with regards
RAGHAVENDRA
+919019060007
Karnataka do have a coin as per your post , 1953, five shillings which I am holding since late 50.What is the current value in Rupees.? Or dollar coin value(FEDEI DEFENSR
Thanks with regards
RAGHAVENDRA
+919019060007
Hubli
Hello Raghav,
DeleteThank you for visiting my blog . I guess the best place to arrive at an approximate present value of your coin would be to average out the quotes being posted by sellers on an auction site like e-bay.
Happy Collecting !!
Nice post sharing and very informative post we are proud of our legacy of building marine spares for marine service
ReplyDeleteThank you.
Delete