Help identifying 2 coins

[tom_jordan91]

Hello. I am 14 years old and have been collecting coins for around 2 years now. My collection has really got going now and I have quite a variety of coins. ( of course due to been 14 I simply cannot afford expensive coins )

Anyway, I recently bought 2 coins but I am having a slight difficulty identifying them. The 2 coins are the same. They are Queen Victoria, silver and dated 1890 and 1892. On the coin there is a coat of arms with a crown on the top. I have seen similar coins but the coat of arms is different. Possibly half crowns? Any help would be appreciated thanks. ( I can add pictures shortly )

Thanks!

[Chris Perkins]

Do they look like this:

http://www.predecimal.com/forsale/11/halfc...fcrown1887e.jpg

(that's a half crown)

[tom_jordan91]

yes it looks very simliar to that but there are still differences. Where it says 'Britanniarum', and Regina Fid : Def : - This is not on either of the coins. Neither is the patterns below this writing. The actual coat of arms is larger and the smaller ring that is around the coat of arms is larger and takes up the place where the patterns would be. Also on the reverse on the right hand side of victorias head it says 'Britt' where as on the link you sent me the word 'Dei' is there. I wonder why my coins are different? Apart from those differences they are identical to the link you sent me. I will have to post pictures of the coins for further examination.

Thanks! Tom

[tom_jordan91]

By the way I have discovered that all the missing writing from around the coat of arms is on the reverse of the coins instead? So there is twice as many words on either side of the head as on the picture on your link. I wonder why this is. Oh and by the way do you by any chance know hoe much these coins could be worth? Mine are alightly worn but aren't damaged and all the detail can still be easily seen.

Thanks.

[Chris Perkins]

The head side is the obverse. (the most logical thing in the world).

Sounds like one of these:

http://www.predecimal.com/forsale/11/shilling1887c.jpg

That's a shilling.

The size (in mm) is the most important thing now!

[tom_jordan91]

Yeah thats the coin, thanks! Do you know how much they could be worth? I bought them for £1 each from a market. However, I have no intention of selling them, I keep all my coins on display and I dont sell any but I would just like to know how much they could be worth.

Thanks for your help!

[Chris Perkins]

Depends on condition.

You can't go wrong for £1 each though, they should at least be worth double that if they're all readable.

[Peter]

Tom

You may like to know that all British silver coins(milled....I thought I better add that) minted before 1920 were made from .925 silver.

After 1920 and until 1946 they were made from .50 silver.

1947 onwards we have cupro-nickel.

So your shillings are nice silver.

[tom_jordan91]

Oh cool, i didnt know that. Thanks!