Hey guys i have a 1889 victoria coin. It is very large 35 mms. On the front it has 4 crests with the ingravings. REG: 1889 FID DEF BRITT On the bak it has a picture of victoria and you can see her bust and she is wearing a crown. The engravings are VICTORIA DEI GRATIA. the coin is a silver colour with cerated edges. Ill upload a pic if needed
Ok i believe this isnt a half crown. I searched 1889 half crowns on ebay and google images and they are different. If you can sorta see the pic got any ideas?
This is actually the famous British Double Florin (4 Shillings) coin.It was known as the Barmaid's Curse,as it was easily confused with the Crown (5 Shillings) under a dim light,despite the totally different designs.I have one of these coins. The 1/2 Crown is also .925 fine silver like the 3d.,4d.,6d.,1/-,2/-,4/- & 5/- coins for this reign.In fact,sterling silver was retained in the coinage right up until 1920,when it was debased.The Maundy coins' fineness was also debased,but was restored to its .925 fineness in 1947. Aidan.
Dudlight,I am a collector of British & British Commonwealth coins,& besides,I work for a coin dealer on a part-time basis.We get in a lot of these coins. Aidan.
The Double Florin was struck between 1887 & 1890.There are some varieties,such as the '1''s in the date,plus there is a scarce obverse variety,which has an upside down 'A' instead of 'V' in 'VICTORIA',just like on some of the silver 50c. coins from Canada. Aidan.
