Shilling, Coin Type from United Kingdom - detailed information

Effigy of the ruling British monarch, legend (in Latin).

During the existence of the denomination, shilling coins were issued for:
- King George III (1816 - 1820)
- King George IV (1820 - 1829)
- King William IV (1831 - 1837)
- Queen Victoria (1838 - 1901), with three different portraits
- King Edward VII (1902 - 1910)
- King George V (1911 - 1936)
- King George VI (1937 - 1952)
- Queen Elizabeth II (1953 - 1970)

The reverse went through several transformations during the existence of the denomination.

The first design (1816 - 1820) shows the crowned and garnished shield bearing bearing the Royal Arms of the United Kingdom within the Garter of the Order of the Garter, with the motto HONI · SOIT · QUI · MAL · Y · PENSE · inscribed on it, partly obscured by the crown. The value and denomination are not written on the coin.

The second design (1820 - 1821) shows the crowned and garnished shield bearing bearing the Royal Arms of the United Kingdom, are surrounded by a rose, thistle and shamrock - the floral emblems of England, Scotland and Ireland respectively. Around below, separated by the rose, the date of issue ANNO [year] (in Latin, "anno" means "year"). The value and denomination are not written on the coin.

The third design (1823 - 1825) shows the crowned and shield bearing bearing the Royal Arms of the United Kingdom within the Garter of the Order of the Garter, with the motto HONI · SOIT · QUI · MAL · Y · PENSE · inscribed on it. Around below, the date of issue ANNO [year]. The value and denomination are not written on the coin.

The fourth design (1825 - 1829) shows at its centre the Royal crest, depicting the Lion of England standing on St Edward's Crown. Below the crown, a rose, thistle and shamrock - the floral emblems of England, Scotland and Ireland respectively. The value and denomination are not written on the coin.

The fifth design (1831 - 1887) shows, within an open wreath of olive (left) and oak (right) branches, the value and denomination in words, on two lines: ONE SHILLING. Above the value, St Edward's Crown. Below the ribbon tying the wreath, the date of issue: [year].

The sixth design (1887 - 1892) again shows the crowned and garnished shield bearing bearing the Royal Arms of the United Kingdom within the Garter of the Order of the Garter, with the motto HONI · SOIT · QUI · MAL · Y · PENSE · inscribed on it. Below, the date [year]. The value and denomination are not written on the coin.

The seventh design (1893 - 1901) features, partly within the Garter of the Order of the Garter, three shields with the arms of England (top left) featuring three lions walking to left, Scotland (top right) featuring a rampant lion, and Ireland (below) featuring a harp, each crowned with St Edward's crown. Between the shields, a rose (above), thistle (below left) and shamrock (below right), the floral emblems of England, Scotland and Ireland respectively. The Garter surrounding the shields is inscribed with the Royal motto HONI · SOIT · QUI · MAL · Y · PENSE ·. In the outer rim, around above the value and denomination ONE SHILLING; below, divided by the pendant of the Garter, the date of issue [year].

The eighth design (1902 - 1927) shows St Edward's Crown surmounted by the crowned Lion of England. The lion is walking to left, its head turned to face the viewer. The date of issue [year] is within the central circle, divided by the crown. Around above is the continuation of the monarch's legend: FID: DEF: IND: IMP:. Around below, the denomination ONE SHILLING.

The tenth design (1927 - 1952) is a new rendition of the same theme and again shows St Edward's Crown surmounted by the crowned Lion of England. Above the lion's tail in small letters, the artist's initials KG (for [George] Kruger Gray). Around above is the continuation of the monarch's legend: FID · DEF IND · IMP. Around below, the denomination and the date of issue: · ONE SHILLING · [year] ·. From 1937 to 1948, two Tudor roses were also added to the design, branding it the (first) "English" version of the shilling, with a Scottish one issued in parallel every year. Due to the Independence of India, the "Emperor" part of the legend was dropped after 1948; the designer's initials and the roses were also removed with this change.

The first Scottish design (1937 - 1951) has a theme similar to that of the English version. It shows the Crown of Scotland surmounted by a crowned Scottish Lion facing the viewer, holding both the Sceptre and the Sword of State. To the left and right of the crown, the artist's initials KG (for [George] Kruger Gray). On the left, the Shield of Scotland bearing the cross of St. Andrew; on the right, a thistle, the floral emblem of Scotland, its leaves raised to form the outline of a shield. Above these, divided by the lion, the date of issue: [year]. Around above is the continuation of the monarch's legend: FID : DEF · IND : IMP (abbreviated from FIDEI DEFENSOR INDIAE IMPERATOR - Defender of the Faith, Emperor of India). Around below, the denomination ONE · SHILLING. Due to the Independence of India, the "Emperor" part of the legend was dropped after 1948; the designer's initials were also removed at this time.

The second English design (1953 - 1970) features a flat-topped shield bearing the arms of England: three lions "passant guardant" (walking to left, facing the viewer), crowned with the Crown of St Edward. Divided by the shield, the date of issue: [year]. In small letters at the lower edges of the shield are the artist's initials, WG (for William Gardner. Around above, the continuation of the monarch's legend: + FID DEF + (abbreviated from FIDEI DEFENSOR - Defender of the Faith). Around below, the value and denomination: ONE SHILLING.

Similarly, the second Scottish design (1953 - 1970) features a flat-topped shield bearing the arms of Scotland: a rampant lion within a double border decorated with fleurs-de-lis (known as the royal tressure). The shield is crowned with the Crown of Scotland. Divided by the shield, the date of issue: [year]. In small letters at the lower edges of the shield are the artist's initials, WG (for William Gardner. Around above, the continuation of the monarch's legend: + FID DEF + (abbreviated from FIDEI DEFENSOR - Defender of the Faith). Around below, the value and denomination: ONE SHILLING.

Various British colonies, dominions and dependencies also issued their own versions of the shilling denomination, usually to be used in parallel with their Imperial counterpart and with compatible dimensions and composition but sometimes made deliberately different. For these, see:

- Australia, Shilling - issued 1910 to 1963, withdrawn 1966 (not demonetised); replaced by compatible Ten Cents - still being issued and current
- British West Africa, Shilling - issued 1913 to 1952, demonetised 1968
- New Zealand, Shilling - issued 1933 to 1965, demonetised 2006; replaced by compatible Ten Cents issued 1967 to 2006, demonetised 2006
- Fiji, Shilling - issued 1934 to 1965, demonetised 1969; replaced by compatible Ten Cents issued 1969 to 2006, demonetised 2009
- New Guinea, Shilling - with central hole, issued 1935 to 1943, demonetised 1966
- Nigeria, Shilling - issued 1959 to 1962, demonetised 1973