When you see a classified ad section headed "WORLD CROWNS" or a listing on a coin dealer's price list, display ad or website saying "CROWNS" or "CROWNS AND MINORS" just what does that word, "CROWN," mean? Well. I can tell you that crown-like, crown-size and non-silver crowns don't make it. The word "Crown" was devised for a new British or English gold coin during the reign of King Henry VIII which debuted in 1526 as the first step of King Henry's monetary reform. The actual name of the coin was "crown of the double rose,." but, as you know, Britains don't like long monikers, so, by usage, it became "Crown." During the reign of Edward I crowns were struck in silver along with the gold ones. The face or denominational value of the silver crown remained as five shillings from 1544 to 1965. For most of this period there was no designated denomination on the coin. From 1927 to 1937 the word "CROWN" appears, and from 1951 to 1960 this was changed to "FIVE SHILLINGS". As things go, in the world of money, the German Silver Thalers (and other nation's thalers) were equated with the crown. Soon followed the Spanish Pillar Dollars, the Mexican Pesos, and just about every silver business-struck coin minted measuring about 39mm, including the U.S. dollar, India Rupee and Panama Balboa. Since 1951 all regular issues of Great Britain/England crowns have been composed of cupro-nickel. Although countries who mint crown-like circulation coins in metals other than silver call them crowns, the numismatic community does not recognize them as such. To capture the numismatic community's interest, these countries produce special proof-like and/or proof non-circulating legal tender versions of the coins in silver, gold and occasionally platinum. The definition of Crown means a business-strike, proof-like or proof silver coin that measures from 39mm to 40mm. Do not confuse Onzas, Libertads, American Eagles, Chinese Pandas, Australian bullion coins and other countries' bullion coins as Crowns. If you wish to collect non-silver coins denominated as Crowns by-all-means do so. If you wish to collect silver bullion coins in place of crowns that's okay too Clinker
Excellent information. My only quibble would be that some of the Meiji era Japanese yen were as small as 38.1mm and that series is pretty generally accepted as a "silver crown". To tell the truth, I hadn't realized that the designation began with a gold coin, so thanks for making today a successful day so early, by causing me to learn something new by breakfast time.
Wasn't there a coin known as the "Bar Maids Woe" or something like that. Maybe a Florin or 4 Shillings which was smaller than the Crown but looked like it in the dark bar-room. Maybe even the Double Florin.... Ben AH Here it is... "The Barmaids Grief" http://www.funtrivia.com/askft/Question43799.html
Ben,the Double Florin (4/-) got the name 'Barmaids' Curse' from when it was able to be easily confused with the Crown (5/-) in very poor light,despite the totally different designs & for the fact that the later Crowns of Queen Victoria have both a milled edge & a plain inscribed edge. The coins that qualify for the definition of being Crown-sized is between 34 mm & 39 mm.The Gambian 8/- is not Crown-sized,because it is too big. Scotland was issuing small silver Crowns as late as 1706.I have got one dated 1697,although it had been cleaned many years ago. Aidan.
Bonedigger "Under the lamplight" or "In a crowded room". Lamplight gets the blame.....Thanx for the addendum...Fotgive me fpr putting an "a" at the end of your username instead of an "o"..... Clinker
Clinker,the Indian silver 1 Rupee coins are not Crown-sized,as it is too small.The Cingalese commemorative silver 5 Rupees dated 1957 is also not Crown-sized,as it is too big.It is about the same size as the Gambian 8/- coin. Aidan.
Aiden Hi Aiden... good to hear from you and thanks for the extra info in both of your posts... BTW ordered a New Zealand 1935 Florin today. Now I only need four more New Zealand 1935 silver coins to fill my "need" list of New Zealand silver birthday couns.... Clinker
Clinker,the 1935 3d. from New Zealand is a scarce coin - only 40,000 coins struck.The 1935 Crown from New Zealand fetches a price around the NZ$5,000 mark. Aidan.
Aiden Yeah, I may have to wait awhile for the CROWN. The HALF CROWN I said I had coming never made it, the dealer had to put in an insurance claim to the Post Office for its loss! Got my money back and am looking at a Southern Rhodesian 6 Pence... Clinker
Treashunt Thank you for being such a loyal reader of my triviasa and for all your comments (pst and present). Clinker
acanrhite First let me apologize for the typo in your name,,,,AND...Thanks and be on rhe lookout for my upcoming Weapons on Coins 4-part trivia with many images..... Clinker
