Silver content of British Silver Coins
Posted: Mon Feb 01, 2016 7:59 am
For anyone venturing into the world of coin buying, the purity of ( actual silver content) of the coin is reflected in the price. If you are buying bullion coins from a dealer, the purity is stamped on it. Actual currency is another matter. What you may buy at auction or whatever, will most likely have been in actual circulation, therefore will be worn.This changes the actual Troy weight of the coin. Below is the silver content for uncirculated British Silver Coins.
There have been four distinct eras for coins since 1800;
1800 to 1920 British coins had a high silver purity ( Sterling silver) 92.5%
1920 to 1946 British coins had lower purity of silver 50%
1947 to 1971 British coins ( new issue) contained NO SILVER.They were silver coloured copper - nickel.
1971 to now silver coloured coins were,again copper- nickel.The legal tender £2 bullion coins issued by the Royal Mint are an exception to that, but although they are legal tender, they were never meant for circulation.
Coins you may consider pre 1920;
Threepence .420 troy ounce of silver
Sixpence .841 troy ounce of silver
Shilling. .1682 troy ounce of silver
Florin. .3364 troy ounce of silver
Half Crown. .4206 troy ounce of silver
Double Florin .6727 troy ounce of silver ( 1887 to 1890)
Crown. .8409 troy ounce of silver.
There have been four distinct eras for coins since 1800;
1800 to 1920 British coins had a high silver purity ( Sterling silver) 92.5%
1920 to 1946 British coins had lower purity of silver 50%
1947 to 1971 British coins ( new issue) contained NO SILVER.They were silver coloured copper - nickel.
1971 to now silver coloured coins were,again copper- nickel.The legal tender £2 bullion coins issued by the Royal Mint are an exception to that, but although they are legal tender, they were never meant for circulation.
Coins you may consider pre 1920;
Threepence .420 troy ounce of silver
Sixpence .841 troy ounce of silver
Shilling. .1682 troy ounce of silver
Florin. .3364 troy ounce of silver
Half Crown. .4206 troy ounce of silver
Double Florin .6727 troy ounce of silver ( 1887 to 1890)
Crown. .8409 troy ounce of silver.