George III 1817 Half Crown

[Richard Dixon]

Hi All,

Just joined as I wanted to pick people's brains. This is a coin I found in a Victorian house about 5 years ago underneath some lining paper of an old fitted cupboard. I've looked it up and it seems to be a King George III half crown dated 1817 as you can see. But the one thing I don't understand is the GN in italics on the face side of the coin. I'd read somewhere of "mint marks" but this seems to be associated with American coins more. Just wondering if anyone had any ideas. 

(I also see from a quick browse online that this coin is actually worth something!)

Best wishes

Richard

 

[Sword]

The initials GN are not mint marks. They were engraved onto the coin sometime after it has been minted by a private individual.

A mint mark has to be part of the original design of the coin.

The coin is sterling silver. However, it is only worth scrap value it this condition. 

[Richard Dixon]

Thanks for this - time to work out who might have lived at this property who was a "GN"

(And please - let me down more gently next time on the value...)

[Sword]

I didn't mean to sound undiplomatic with regard to its "value". Although it might not be worth much in monetary terms, it is certainly an interesting item to "rediscover". Simply speculating how it got there and who it might have belonged to is a lot of fun.