Shilling, English Shield, Coin Type from United Kingdom

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

Coin Type	Shilling, 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

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

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

Edge	Milled	Edge Inscription	None

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Royal Mint

Coin Type: Shilling, English Shield - (15) Coins

Coin Name	Reverse	Obverse	In my collection(s)
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London Mint Office coins.

Shilling, English Shield: Details

Country	United Kingdom
Currency	Pound Sterling (pre-decimal)
Sub-type of	Shilling
From	1953
To	1970
Face Value	1 (x Shilling)
Current	No (demonetised 1990)
Material	CuproNickel
Designer	William Gardner
Technology	Milled (machine-made)
Shape	Round
Orientation	Medal Alignment (Axis 0)
Size	23.5000 mm
Mass	5.6500 g

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Catalog of Modern World Coins 1850-1964

Shilling, English Shield: Photos

Image	Details
	Proof Coin - Shilling, Elizabeth II, Great Britain, 1953 Copyright: Museums Victoria / CC BY Author: Justine Philip Notes: Common reverse (1953 - 1970). Source
	Proof Coin - Shilling, Elizabeth II, Great Britain, 1953 Copyright: Museums Victoria / CC BY Author: Justine Philip Notes: Elizabeth II, Queen of all the Britains (1953). Source
	Great Britain 1957 shilling KM-904 Copyright: CoinFactsWiki / CC BY-SA Author: Heritage Auction Galleries Notes: Queen Elizabeth II (1954 - 1970). Source

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