I have what looks like a silver medallion with Queen Elizabeth riding a horse. Written around the edge of the medallion is 'Elizabeth ll DG REG FD 1977'. On the obverse is a bird in the centre with wings outstretched within a circle, a large crown above the head of the bird and flora either side of the bird. Can anyone give me some details of this piece including whether the medallion is made of pure silver or if it is Brittania or sterling silver?
I believe that you are describing the United Kingdom's 25 New Pence (crown) coin of 1977 commemorating the Silver Jubilee (25th Anniversary) of Queen Elizabeth's reign. Most of these are actually copper-nickel, not silver. According to the Standard Catalog of World Coins there were just under 37 million minted for circulation plus 194,000 proof strikes. But there were also 377,000 proof strikes made from .925 silver, containing .8409 ounce of silver, and that might be what you have.
It's a confusing item to us here in the US BUT it IS actually a coin. It has a face value of 25p. It is composed of copper-nickel (CuNi). Catalog value is minimal.
