Shilling, English Shield, Coin Type from United Kingdom - detailed information

Shilling, English Shield, Coin Type from United Kingdom (issued 1953 - 1970)
Coin TypeShilling, English Shield

The pre-decimal shilling (1s), also abbreviated in sums as e.g. 1/- for one shilling, was a unit of currency equalling one twentieth of a pound sterling, or twelve pence sterling; the "s" in the abbreviation is not from "shilling" but from "sestertius" - the Roman coin which was the ancestor of the denomination. It was used in the United Kingdom, and earlier in Great Britain and England.

The denomination had undergone many earlier changes in design, and was in silver until 1946. Starting in 1937, the Royal Mint issued two versions of the shilling every year: an English design and a Scottish design.

At the beginning of the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, the denomination was re-designed by William Gardner, with the "English" version of the shilling featuring the crowned Royal Arms of England, and the "Scottish" shilling featuring the Royal Arms of Scotland.

When the currency became decimal in 1971, shillings were re-denominated as five new pence; they remained legal tender until 1990, when a smaller type of five pence replaced them.

Obverse
United Kingdom / Shilling, English Shield - obverse photo

The obverse of the coin shows the laureate young laureate bust of Queen Elizabeth II facing right - her effigy known as the "First Portrait". The laurel wreath in the Queen's hair is tied with a ribbon with two ends flowing behind.

The designer's initials, M.G. (for Mary Gillick) appear incuse on the base of the shoulder truncation.

The first part of the monarch's legend runs continuously all around the bust: + ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA BRITT: OMN: REGINA (in 1953 only), changed to + ELIZABETH · II DEI · GRATIA · REGINA in 1954.

Obverse Inscription + ELIZABETH · II DEI · GRATIA · REGINA
Reverse
United Kingdom / Shilling, English Shield - reverse photo

At the centre of the reverse, 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, interrupted by the cross on top of the crown, 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.

The border is beaded.

Reverse Inscription + FID DEF + [year] ONE SHILLING
EdgeMilledEdge InscriptionNone
Coin Type: Shilling, English Shield - (15) Coins
Coin NameMintageEffigyLegend
Shilling 1953 English 41,982,894 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA BRITT: OMN: REGINA
Shilling 1954 English 30,162,032 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II DEI · GRATIA · REGINA
Shilling 1955 English 45,259,908 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II DEI · GRATIA · REGINA
Shilling 1956 English 44,970,009 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II DEI · GRATIA · REGINA
Shilling 1957 English 42,774,217 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II DEI · GRATIA · REGINA
Shilling 1958 English 14,392,305 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II DEI · GRATIA · REGINA
Shilling 1959 English 19,442,778 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II DEI · GRATIA · REGINA
Shilling 1960 English 27,027,914 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II DEI · GRATIA · REGINA
Shilling 1961 English 39,816,907 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II DEI · GRATIA · REGINA
Shilling 1962 English 36,704,374 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II DEI · GRATIA · REGINA
Shilling 1963 English 44,714,000 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II DEI · GRATIA · REGINA
Shilling 1964 English 13,617,440 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II DEI · GRATIA · REGINA
Shilling 1965 English 11,236,000 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II DEI · GRATIA · REGINA
Shilling 1966 English 15,002,000 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II DEI · GRATIA · REGINA
Shilling 1970 English (Proof only) 750,476 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II DEI · GRATIA · REGINA
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Shilling, English Shield: Details
CountryUnited Kingdom
CurrencyPound Sterling (pre-decimal)
Sub-type ofShilling
From1953
To1970
Face Value1 (x Shilling)
CurrentNo (demonetised 1990)
MaterialCuproNickel
DesignerWilliam Gardner
TechnologyMilled (machine-made)
ShapeRound
OrientationMedal Alignment (Axis 0)
Size23.5000 mm
Mass5.6500 g
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Shilling, English Shield: Photos
ImageDetails
Shilling, English Shield: Photo Proof Coin - Shilling, Elizabeth II, Great Britain, 1953 Proof Coin - Shilling, Elizabeth II, Great Britain, 1953
Copyright: Museums Victoria / CC BY
Author:
Notes: Common reverse (1953 - 1970).
Source
Shilling, English Shield: Photo Proof Coin - Shilling, Elizabeth II, Great Britain, 1953 Proof Coin - Shilling, Elizabeth II, Great Britain, 1953
Copyright: Museums Victoria / CC BY
Author:
Notes: Elizabeth II, Queen of all the Britains (1953).
Source
Shilling, English Shield: Photo Great Britain 1957 shilling KM-904 Great Britain 1957 shilling KM-904
Copyright: CoinFactsWiki / CC BY-SA
Author:
Notes: Queen Elizabeth II (1954 - 1970).
Source