I'm assuming these are British coins because they were in the ziploc bag labeled "England" in shoebox #1. I can't figure out if they're florins, cowns, pence, etc. Before I embarked on an Internet search I thought I'd try my hand at taking and uploading my first coin pics to CoinTalk. I'm assuming this is an easy one for the experts here. Thanks for the help!
I'll take a look when I get home - I can't see photobucket pics here at work The florin (2/-) is 28.5mm, 11.3g The halfcrown (2/6) is 32.0mm, 14.1g The double-florin (4/-) is 36.0mm, 22.6g The wights of UK predecimal coins of silver or cupro-nickel content are proportionate - so, a shilling (1/-) is half the weight of a florin (two shillings, 2/-). A halfcrown is 2½ shillings, so is 2½ times the weight. And so on ... Silver composition of UK coins: pre 1920 ... 92½% 1920 - 1946 ... 50% Maundy, 1947 onwards ... back to 92½% all others, 1947 onwards ... CuNi
Assuming you photographed both coins at the same time. The smaller coin is definitely a 1/2 crown. That means the coin on the left is a double florin. (Can't be a florin, 2 shillings, because it is larger than the 1/2 crown, 2 1/2 shillings. So it is a double florin, 4 shillings.))
The double-florin was only minted 1887 - 1890 in a 2nd failed attempt at decimalisation (the 1st being in 1849 with the introduction of the florinm 1/10th of a pound). They will look like this: courtesy of Tony Clayton's site http://www.ukcoinpics.co.uk/fours.html
Yep, that's the first coin in my picture. I was going to grab a cup of coffee before starting to explain what the reverse side looked like. I'm glad you posted a picture. So this is a double florin - thanks!
No problem! The halfcrown has the Crowned Shield of Arms since 1816. Another poster stated it was 92½% silver, so that'd make it prior to 1920. Don't you just hate it when you can't see the pics? Makes me look stupid for asking what the year is! Minted thus: George III ... 1816 - 20 George IV ... 1820 - 29 William IV ... 1831 - 37 Victoria young head ... 1839 - 50 ... then a break in mintage until ... Victoria young head resumed ... 1874 - 87 Victoria Jubilee head ... 1887 - 92 Victoria Old Head ... 1893 - 1901 Edward VII ... 1902 - 10 (1903,04 and especially 05 are rare!) George V ... 1911 - 36 George VI ... 1937 - 51 (although a unique circulation specimen of 1952 is known) Elizabeth II ... 1953 - 67 & 70 (proof) All, as I say, have some form of crowned shield. My personal favourite are the 1902 - 27 issue.
Thanks! As I am sorting through my inherited shoeboxes o' money, I'm finding that I'm liking the British and Canadian coins the best so far. At the risk of sounding too "girly," I think the designs are the prettiest. I guess I'm a sucker for older coins with a lot of detail.
You can't fault good old UK traditional designs! My favourite denom is the 2/6 for sure. I also like the Britannia coins too .... one of the best UK designs was the Edward VII florins - standing Britannia - I now have severalin good grade and they're a delight!
