Coin ID

[Guest Simn]

I found a silver coin recently with an F (with a crown above it) on the obverse and the following on the reverse:

1

schilling

courant

megllenb

schwerin

munze

1768

Does anyone know what I've found! Thank you.

[kuhli]

It is a base-metal 1 schilling coin from the German State of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. Minted from 1763-1785. The F monogram on the obverse is for Frederick II, who was Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin from 1756-1785. Depending on how good of shape it is in, it could be worth between £1-10.

[Guest Simon]

Thank you. It's silver (not sure what base metal is).

[kuhli]

"Base" metal is any metal other than the "precious" metals, which are silver, gold, palladium and platinum (there may be others, but these are the main ones for coinage).

The actual composition of the coin is referred to as "billon", which is a very low grade of silver. Although your coin may look and feel like silver, the actual silver content is quite low, usually less than .300 (30%), and the value of the silver in the coin is negligible.

[Guest Simon]

Thanks for answering my query.