Shilling 1955 English, Coin from United Kingdom - detailed information

Shilling 1955 English, Coin from United Kingdom (demonetised 1990)
CoinShilling 1955 English

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. Thus, a shilling coin issued in 1955 was legal tender for 35 years.

MintRoyal Mint Mint MarkNo mint mark Total Mintage 45,259,908 (45.3 million)
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Obverse
United Kingdom / Shilling 1955 English - 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, and can be seen when the coin is viewed at an angle.

The monarch's legend runs continuously all around the bust: + ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA. Translated from Latin: Elizabeth the Second, by the grace of God, Queen.

Obverse Inscription + ELIZABETH · II DEI · GRATIA · REGINA
Reverse
United Kingdom / Shilling 1955 English - 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: 1955. 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 + 1955 ONE SHILLING
EdgeMilledEdge InscriptionNone
Shilling 1955 English: Known varieties
Variety Proof
Mintage Issued: unknown
Shilling 1955 English: References to Information Used
Showing 81 from a total of 181 coins of type: Shilling
Coin NameMintageEffigyLegend
Shilling 1918 34,915,934 King George V - Bare Head GEORGIVS V DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX
Shilling 1919 10,823,824 King George V - Bare Head GEORGIVS V DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX
Shilling 1920 22,825,142 King George V - Bare Head GEORGIVS V DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX
Shilling 1921 22,648,763 King George V - Bare Head GEORGIVS V DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX
Shilling 1922 27,215,738 King George V - Bare Head GEORGIVS V DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX
Shilling 1923 14,575,243 King George V - Bare Head GEORGIVS V DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX
Shilling 1924 9,250,095 King George V - Bare Head GEORGIVS V DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX
Shilling 1925 5,418,764 King George V - Bare Head GEORGIVS V DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX
Shilling 1926 22,516,453 King George V - Bare Head GEORGIVS V DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX
Shilling 1927 Old Type 9,262,244 King George V - Bare Head GEORGIVS V DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX
Shilling 1927 New Type 9,262,244 King George V - Bare Head GEORGIVS V DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX
Shilling 1928 18,136,778 King George V - Bare Head GEORGIVS V DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX
Shilling 1929 19,343,006 King George V - Bare Head GEORGIVS V DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX
Shilling 1930 3,137,092 King George V - Bare Head GEORGIVS V DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX
Shilling 1931 6,993,926 King George V - Bare Head GEORGIVS V DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX
Shilling 1932 12,168,101 King George V - Bare Head GEORGIVS V DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX
Shilling 1933 11,511,624 King George V - Bare Head GEORGIVS V DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX
Shilling 1934 6,138,463 King George V - Bare Head GEORGIVS V DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX
Shilling 1935 9,183,462 King George V - Bare Head GEORGIVS V DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX
Shilling 1936 11,910,613 King George V - Bare Head GEORGIVS V DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX
Shilling 1937 English 8,385,524 King George VI - Bare Head GEORGIVS VI D : G : BR : OMN : REX
Shilling 1937 Scottish 6,775,277 King George VI - Bare Head GEORGIVS VI D : G : BR : OMN : REX
Shilling 1938 English 4,833,436 King George VI - Bare Head GEORGIVS VI D : G : BR : OMN : REX
Shilling 1938 Scottish 4,797,852 King George VI - Bare Head GEORGIVS VI D : G : BR : OMN : REX
Shilling 1939 English 11,052,677 King George VI - Bare Head GEORGIVS VI D : G : BR : OMN : REX
Shilling 1939 Scottish 10,263,892 King George VI - Bare Head GEORGIVS VI D : G : BR : OMN : REX
Shilling 1940 English 11,099,126 King George VI - Bare Head GEORGIVS VI D : G : BR : OMN : REX
Shilling 1940 Scottish 9,913,089 King George VI - Bare Head GEORGIVS VI D : G : BR : OMN : REX
Shilling 1941 English 11,391,883 King George VI - Bare Head GEORGIVS VI D : G : BR : OMN : REX
Shilling 1941 Scottish 8,086,030 King George VI - Bare Head GEORGIVS VI D : G : BR : OMN : REX
Shilling 1942 English 17,453,643 King George VI - Bare Head GEORGIVS VI D : G : BR : OMN : REX
Shilling 1942 Scottish 13,676,759 King George VI - Bare Head GEORGIVS VI D : G : BR : OMN : REX
Shilling 1943 English 11,404,213 King George VI - Bare Head GEORGIVS VI D : G : BR : OMN : REX
Shilling 1943 Scottish 9,824,214 King George VI - Bare Head GEORGIVS VI D : G : BR : OMN : REX
Shilling 1944 English 11,586,751 King George VI - Bare Head GEORGIVS VI D : G : BR : OMN : REX
Shilling 1944 Scottish 10,990,167 King George VI - Bare Head GEORGIVS VI D : G : BR : OMN : REX
Shilling 1945 English 15,143,404 King George VI - Bare Head GEORGIVS VI D : G : BR : OMN : REX
Shilling 1945 Scottish 15,106,270 King George VI - Bare Head GEORGIVS VI D : G : BR : OMN : REX
Shilling 1946 English 18,663,797 King George VI - Bare Head GEORGIVS VI D : G : BR : OMN : REX
Shilling 1946 Scottish 16,381,501 King George VI - Bare Head GEORGIVS VI D : G : BR : OMN : REX
Shilling 1947 English 12,120,611 King George VI - Bare Head GEORGIVS VI D : G : BR : OMN : REX
Shilling 1947 Scottish 12,283,223 King George VI - Bare Head GEORGIVS VI D : G : BR : OMN : REX
Shilling 1948 English 45,576,923 King George VI - Bare Head GEORGIVS VI D : G : BR : OMN : REX
Shilling 1948 Scottish 45,351,937 King George VI - Bare Head GEORGIVS VI D : G : BR : OMN : REX
Shilling 1949 English 19,328,405 King George VI - Bare Head GEORGIVS VI D : G : BR : OMN : REX
Shilling 1949 Scottish 21,243,074 King George VI - Bare Head GEORGIVS VI D : G : BR : OMN : REX
Shilling 1950 English 19,261,385 King George VI - Bare Head GEORGIVS VI D : G : BR : OMN : REX
Shilling 1950 Scottish 14,317,114 King George VI - Bare Head GEORGIVS VI D : G : BR : OMN : REX
Shilling 1951 English 9,976,930 King George VI - Bare Head GEORGIVS VI D : G : BR : OMN : REX
Shilling 1951 Scottish 10,981,174 King George VI - Bare Head GEORGIVS VI D : G : BR : OMN : REX
Shilling 1952 English (Proof only) unknown King George VI - Bare Head GEORGIVS VI D : G : BR : OMN : REX
Shilling 1953 English 41,982,894 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA BRITT: OMN: REGINA
Shilling 1953 Scottish 20,703,528 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 1954 Scottish 26,771,735 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 1955 Scottish 27,950,906 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 1956 Scottish 42,853,639 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 1957 Scottish 17,959,988 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 1958 Scottish 40,822,557 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 1959 Scottish 1,012,988 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 1960 Scottish 14,375,932 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 1961 Scottish 2,762,558 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 1962 Scottish 18,967,310 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 1963 Scottish 32,300,000 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 1964 Scottish 5,246,560 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 1965 Scottish 31,364,000 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 1966 Scottish 15,604,000 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
Shilling 1970 Scottish (Proof only) 750,476 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II DEI · GRATIA · REGINA
Showing 101 to 181 of 181 Coins.
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Shilling 1955 English: Details
CountryUnited Kingdom
CurrencyPound Sterling (pre-decimal)
Coin TypeShilling, English Shield
Issued1955
MonarchQueen Elizabeth II
EffigyQueen Elizabeth II - First Portrait, by Mary Gillick
ReverseRoyal Arms of England
Face Value1 (x Shilling)
Total Mintage45,259,908 (45.3 million)
CurrentNo; demonetised 1990
MaterialCuproNickel
DesignerWilliam Gardner
TechnologyMilled (machine-made)
ShapeRound
OrientationMedal Alignment (Axis 0)
Size23.5000 mm
Mass5.6500 g
OCC IDDBYN-KODD-CAMB-OPQM
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Shilling 1955 English: Photos
ImageDetails
Shilling 1955 English: Photo Coin, Great Britain, Shilling, 1955 / thumbnail Coin, Great Britain, Shilling, 1955
Copyright: NumisCorner.com
Source
Shilling 1955 English: Photo Coin, Great Britain, Shilling, 1955 / thumbnail Coin, Great Britain, Shilling, 1955
Copyright: NumisCorner.com
Source
Shilling 1955 English: Catalogue Reference IDs