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

Shilling, Scottish Shield, Coin Type from United Kingdom (issued 1953 - 1970)
Coin TypeShilling, Scottish 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, Scottish 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, Scottish Shield - reverse photo

At the centre of the reverse, 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, 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
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Coin Type: Shilling, Scottish Shield - (15) Coins
Coin NameMintageEffigyLegend
Shilling 1953 Scottish 20,703,528 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA BRITT: OMN: REGINA
Shilling 1954 Scottish 26,771,735 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II DEI · GRATIA · REGINA
Shilling 1955 Scottish 27,950,906 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II DEI · GRATIA · REGINA
Shilling 1956 Scottish 42,853,639 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II DEI · GRATIA · REGINA
Shilling 1957 Scottish 17,959,988 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II DEI · GRATIA · REGINA
Shilling 1958 Scottish 40,822,557 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II DEI · GRATIA · REGINA
Shilling 1959 Scottish 1,012,988 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II DEI · GRATIA · REGINA
Shilling 1960 Scottish 14,375,932 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II DEI · GRATIA · REGINA
Shilling 1961 Scottish 2,762,558 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II DEI · GRATIA · REGINA
Shilling 1962 Scottish 18,967,310 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II DEI · GRATIA · REGINA
Shilling 1963 Scottish 32,300,000 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II DEI · GRATIA · REGINA
Shilling 1964 Scottish 5,246,560 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II DEI · GRATIA · REGINA
Shilling 1965 Scottish 31,364,000 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II DEI · GRATIA · REGINA
Shilling 1966 Scottish 15,604,000 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II DEI · GRATIA · REGINA
Shilling 1970 Scottish (Proof only) 750,476 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II DEI · GRATIA · REGINA
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London Mint Office coins.
Shilling, Scottish 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
Shilling, Scottish Shield: Photos
ImageDetails
Shilling, Scottish 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, Scottish 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, Scottish Shield: Photo Great Britain 1957 shilling KM-905 Great Britain 1957 shilling KM-905
Copyright: CoinFactsWiki / CC BY-SA
Author:
Notes: Queen Elizabeth II (1954 - 1970).
Source