When did crowns cease circulating?

[pokal02]

I've read in a couple of places recently that Crowns ceased to be in general circulation 'after the end of the 19th century'.  I think this must be too early - what do others think?  Judging from the average grades of Vic OH specimens, many of them must surely have circulated for some years into the two following reigns.  I'm assuming that they gradually withered away like the farthing which wasn't withdrawn until 1961, although last issued in 1956 - with possibly the switch to .500 silver in 1920 driving the last ones out.   I've never seen  the 1902's described as purely commemorative either.     

[DaveG38]

1 hour ago, pokal02 said:

I've read in a couple of places recently that Crowns ceased to be in general circulation 'after the end of the 19th century'.  I think this must be too early - what do others think?  Judging from the average grades of Vic OH specimens, many of them must surely have circulated for some years into the two following reigns.  I'm assuming that they gradually withered away like the farthing which wasn't withdrawn until 1961, although last issued in 1956 - with possibly the switch to .500 silver in 1920 driving the last ones out.   I've never seen  the 1902's described as purely commemorative either.     

Don't know exactly, but there is a 1934 specimen that's in fine condition at best, so it must have gone on well after WW2 I would have thought. Many of the other wreath crowns were also spent at sometime in their lives, and saw some limited circulation. However, I entirely accept that they were not really intended for circulation. The real challenge is to find a churchill crown in fine - I'm told they are then quite attractive, if you can believe that!!

[VickySilver]

I think the question bears a general answer - I have seen a couple of crowns over the years & some worn. Most are in better shape but these might be confined to collector examples. Some doubtlessly were spent but not most - after all a crown represented quite a bit of money to most people, even into the early 20th Century. I think many, and likely the mentioned 1934 crown may have been "pocket pieces".

 

There certainly could be a differential in survivability between heavily worn and nicer, but if we do not assume that reasonable premise it then seems that most late Vickies and Ed7's are seen in EF-AU grades commiserate with a bit of handling by average lay public.

 

BTW, if the double florin was the barmaid's lament, then a whole crown was what got one the enchilada, so to speak. Wouldn't that be the equivalent of 50 or 100 quid now?

[Paulus]

46 minutes ago, VickySilver said:

I think the question bears a general answer - I have seen a couple of crowns over the years & some worn. Most are in better shape but these might be confined to collector examples. Some doubtlessly were spent but not most - after all a crown represented quite a bit of money to most people, even into the early 20th Century. I think many, and likely the mentioned 1934 crown may have been "pocket pieces".

 

There certainly could be a differential in survivability between heavily worn and nicer, but if we do not assume that reasonable premise it then seems that most late Vickies and Ed7's are seen in EF-AU grades commiserate with a bit of handling by average lay public.

 

BTW, if the double florin was the barmaid's lament, then a whole crown was what got one the enchilada, so to speak. Wouldn't that be the equivalent of 50 or 100 quid now?

A crown (25 pence) in 1887 is equivalent to £29.50 today, based on RPI.

Did 1/2 sovs and sovs 'circulate' much I wonder?

 

[copper123]

As to half and full sovs I heard off my grandfather that the first world war was the end of them in circulation . but many people kept a few as collectors items , over the years and many drifted back into circulation only to be withdrawn by the banks or kept by their new owners.

I think by the mid ninteen twenties they had become prety rare in circulation , but it could have been later

[pokal02]

There are enough F & VF wreaths around to suggest that some may have seen limited circiulation. I've seen a couple of worn 1937's too. On the other hand the absence of a 1911 Crown indicates,that they'd discounted the crown as a circulating medium by then.  

Presumably when no one had seen one for 10-15 years they became difficult to use (like Scottish notes in England).   

  

[ozjohn]

Crowns were issued in Australia for the years 1937 and 1938. Although many  were saved at the time a significant amount show signs of been circulated. Having said that they were not very popular as they made holes in pockets due to their size. Earlier British issues circulated during their time as would the double florins.

 

[Coppers]

Does anyone recall whether or not there was widespread use of the Churchill crown by the general public?

[Rob]

Yes. They were all used to fill empty boxes at the back of drawers. Circulation - not a chance.

[ozjohn]

Many of the 1937/38 crowns appear to have had some signs of circulation in my opinion. No one chucks a relatively high value coin in the back of a draw  for prosperity in the middle of a depression! One that hit Australia particularly hard. A friend of mine who's father was a SP bookie asked me to look at a load Australian silver coins this hoard included crowns, shillings, sixpence and three pence some Unc but mostly circulated.