Obverse. Photo © NumisCorner.com
  • 1 Shilling 1954-1970, KM# 905, United Kingdom (Great Britain), Elizabeth II
  • 1 Shilling 1954-1970, KM# 905, United Kingdom (Great Britain), Elizabeth II
Description

The shilling (1/-) was a coin worth one twentieth of a pound sterling, or twelve pence. It was first minted in the reign of Henry VII as the testoon, and became known as the shilling from the Old English scilling, sometime in the mid-sixteenth century, circulating until 1990. The word bob was sometimes used for a monetary value of several shillings, e.g. "ten bob note".

Obverse

First portrait of HM Queen Elizabeth II (laureate bust) facing right, wearing a wreath. It was introduced in 1953, one year after the Queen acceded to the throne. It captures the grace and youth of the 26-year-old new Queen. Her hair is restrained by a laureate crown which is tied with ribbons at the back of her head. The Queen's shoulders are bare and the truncation follows the curve of the coin. The engravers initials M.G. are incuse, generally faint, and are located on the raised edge found at the base of the bust.

ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA means Elizabeth the Second, by the grace of God Queen.

Engraver: Mary Gillick

+ ELIZABETH·II·DEI·GRATIA·REGINA
M.G.

Reverse

Crowned Scottish shield divides date, legend above, denomination below.

The Tudor Crown, also known as the King's Crown or Imperial Crown, is a widely used symbol in heraldry of the United Kingdom. While various crown symbols had been used for this purpose for many years previously, the specific Tudor Crown design was standardised at the request of Edward VII. It was never intended to represent any actual physical crown, although in shape it bears a close resemblance to the small diamond crown of Queen Victoria.

Upon the accession of Elizabeth II, she requested the design to be replaced with a representation of the St Edward's Crown (with depressed arches) which she wore at her coronation. Many, though not all, of the derived designs around the world were updated to match.

FIDEI DEFENSATRIX means Defender of the Faith.

Engraver: William Gardner

FID DEF
19 65
W G
ONE SHILLING

Edge

1 Shilling

1st portrait, Scottish shield, without BRITT:OMN
KM# 905 Sp# 4148
Characteristics
Material Cupronickel
Weight 5.65 g
Diameter 23.5 mm
Thickness 1.7 mm
Shape round
Alignment Medal

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