Can someone explain why Jersey made so many fractional shilling denominations? Why not call them pence? Did having the word "shilling" add something to the perception of the coins?
I believe that the local rule stated that no person needed to take more than 1 shilling in copper coin as payment in trade. Perhaps that is why they always referenced the shilling rather than the Pence on their copper coins. http://www.jerseycoins.com/pen13/pen13.htm It was a necessary conversion between the French & English monetary units. At the time, 26 French Livres were equal to one English pound. With 20 shillings to the pound and 20 sous to the livre, one shilling was worth 26 sous. The Jersey penny or “pièce de deux sous” became 1/13th of a shilling.
I know it. Island of Jersey was the property of the William the Conqueror since that time when he was the duke of Normandy only. The duchy of Normandy was the vassal of the Kingdom of France. When William the Conqueror became the British king at 1066, he didn't lose his possession in Normandy. So he was the sovereign British king, and the French vassal (as the duke of Normandy) at the same time. Island of Jersey was not joined with Great Britain - it is the own possession of a British monarchs until now. So the monetary system of Jersey Island was not British but French until 1834. Livre was the currency of Jersey. 26 livres were equal to 1 British pound (or to 20 British shillings). 1 French livre was equal to 20 French sols. Since 1834 French livre lost the status of Jersey's currency. Pound became the Jersey's currency. But at the same time they continued to use old French copper coins: 1 British shilling was equal to 26 French sols. When they have started to releasing of their own coins, they kept former monetary system: one shilling = 26 monetary units. And that is why the produced such face values as 1/26 and 1/13 of a shilling.
I'm confused. So it's a 100 pound coin, but then the inscription reads, "Lest We Forget Ten Pounds." That would explain the "90" in the center. Right? In turn it is a 90 pound coin. I think.
Not quite. The "90" refers to the 90th anniversary of the Royal British Legion. Here is a coin-and-stamp set, apparently sold out there, but it explains some of the design details. The whole thing is somewhat tacky in my opinion, but I'm sure that I am fond of coins which others may find awful. Christian
Your post is correct and informative, but I still like mine better. It has a kind of folk legend, almost mythical if you will, quality of storytelling behind it. You know, a made up fact. :devil:
Just tried finding some "official" info about that piece. But that got even worse; if you search for jersey 10 pounds 2011, you'll get lots of stories about how Snooki of Jersey Shores "fame" lost ten in that year. Talk about storytelling ... Here is a Jersey piece, also issued in 2011, that commemorates Queen Elizabeth's 85th birthday and Prince Philip's 90th birthday. Don't have that one. http://www.24carat.co.uk/images/2011jerseytwopoundsgoldinksilverproofrev400.jpg http://www.24carat.co.uk/images/2011jerseytwopoundsgoldinksilverproofobv400.jpg Christian
One twenty-fourth of a shilling 1931, bronze, weight - 5,6 g., size - 25,5 mm, mintage - 72000 pcs. Engraver: George Edward Kruger Gray. A coins of this were released at 1931, 1933 and 1935. Demonetized at December 27 1971.
One twenty-fourth of a shilling 1946, bronze, weight - 5,6 g., size - 25,5 mm, mintage - 72000 pcs. Engravers: George Edward Kruger Gray & Percy Metcalfe. A coins of this were released at 1937, 1946 and 1947. Demonetized at December 27 1971.
Just a couple here: == Apologies for poor scans, still learning to use my new scanner == 1/13 Shilling 1/12 Shilling
It's an odd thing but Channel Islands coins are not at all popular with British collectors, so the early low mintage issues are not uncommon and quite cheap, and the later issues tend to pile up in drifts.
Victoria (1837-1901). One twenty-sixth of a shilling 1871, bronze, weight - 5,67 g., size - 24,3 mm, thyickness - 1 mm, mintage - 160000 pcs. Engraver: Leonard Charles Wyon. Coins of this type were released at 1866, 1870 and 1871.
At least they later went from 26 to 24 so to say. (In those days, a penny was one thirteenth of a shilling in Jersey while in England one shilling was twelve pence.) So what you have here is a halfpenny, except that "one twenty-sixth" etc. sounds much more interesting. Christian