Shilling Coin Pack - George VI

Product Description: The George VI Shilling coin pack contains an original shilling coin of George VI. The double-sided pack has a hole in which the coin is held in a clear blister, this allows both the obverse and reverse to be clearly seen. The full colour card shows the royal coat of arms on the front. There is historical information about the shilling on the back.

Information: The shilling was a coin used from the reign of Henry VII until decimalisation in 1971. There were twenty shillings to a pound and twelve pence to the shilling.

The issues of George VI and Elizabeth II were unusual in that English and Scottish variations of the shilling were issued and circulated equally in both countries. The English shilling of George VI has the lion standing left on a large crown, while on the Scottish shilling the lion is facing, holding a sword and sceptre flanked by St Andrews Cross and a thistle. The English shilling of Elizabeth II has three ‘leopards’ facing left in a shield, while the Scottish shilling has a rampant lion.

The last regular issue shillings were minted in 1966. Two years later, a five-pence piece with identical dimensions was issued prior to decimalisation in 1971 and both coins were circulated until 1990. A new smaller 5p was then issued and thus the 488 year history of the shilling ended.