Sixpences, Florins and Crowns: Collecting Pre-Decimal Silver

Why Pre-Decimal Silver?

There is something quietly compelling about holding a Victorian florin or a George V sixpence. These are coins that passed through countless hands – paid wages, bought bread, dropped into church collection plates – before the world they inhabited vanished on 15 February 1971, the day Britain went decimal. Pre-decimal silver coinage spans roughly four centuries of British history, and it offers collectors a remarkable combination of beauty, affordability and genuine historical depth. Unlike gold sovereigns or rare Roman finds, the coins covered in this guide are accessible to almost anyone with a modest budget and a curious mind.

This article focuses on three denominations that sit at the heart of pre-decimal British silver collecting: the sixpence (6d), the florin (2 shillings), and the crown (5 shillings). Each has its own character, its own collecting challenges, and its own rewards. Whether you have just discovered a handful of old coins in your grandmother’s biscuit tin or you are ready to spend your first £50 at a coin fair, this guide will give you a clear, practical foundation.

Understanding the Coins: A Brief Introduction to Each Denomination

The Sixpence

The sixpence was struck from silver from 1551 until 1947, after which it was produced in cupro-nickel – an alloy of copper and nickel – until its withdrawal in 1980. For collecting purposes, the silver sixpences minted between 1920 and 1946 contain 50% silver, while those struck before 1920 are made from 92.5% silver (sterling standard). Victorian sixpences in particular are extraordinarily detailed for their small size, featuring fine portrait work and intricately engraved reverses. They are also plentiful enough that a beginner can build a date run – one coin for each year – without needing a large budget.

The Florin

Introduced in 1849 as part of an early attempt at decimalisation – it represented one tenth of a pound – the florin is a satisfying coin to collect. It is large enough to display well, historically significant, and produced in large quantities across several reigns. The first florin, known informally as the “Godless” florin because it omitted the customary Latin phrase Dei Gratia (By the Grace of God), caused a minor public scandal and is now one of the most sought-after pieces in the series. Later florins under Edward VII, George V and George VI offer excellent value for money, and the silver content makes them appealing to those who enjoy the dual nature of coins as both collectables and tangible assets.

The Crown

The crown is the showpiece of British pre-decimal silver. At 38 millimetres in diameter, it is an impressive coin, and many crowns were produced specifically as commemorative or semi-commemorative pieces rather than everyday currency. The 1935 Crown featuring Percy Metcalfe’s modernist “chariot” reverse is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful British coins of the twentieth century. The 1937 Crown, struck only for collectors as part of that year’s coronation proof set, is another highlight. Crowns are ideal for collectors who want striking display pieces rather than a long date run, and even circulated examples in decent condition can look magnificent.

The Basics of Silver Content and Why It Matters

Before 1920, British silver coins were struck in sterling silver – 92.5% pure silver. The economic pressures of the First World War depleted the Treasury’s silver reserves, and in 1920 the silver content was reduced to 50%. This matters for two reasons. First, coins struck before 1920 have greater intrinsic metal value, which forms a baseline price (known as “melt value”) below which the coin is unlikely to fall regardless of collector demand. Second, the older, higher-purity silver coins tend to have a different visual quality – a brighter, crisper appearance when well preserved.

You can calculate approximate melt value using the coin’s weight, its silver percentage, and the current spot price of silver. Websites such as Bullion By Post and The Royal Mint publish live silver prices in pounds sterling. A pre-1920 florin weighs 11.31 grams and is 92.5% silver, so its silver content is approximately 10.46 grams. At the time of writing, silver trades at around £24 per troy ounce (one troy ounce equals 31.1 grams), which puts the melt value of that florin at roughly £8. Knowing this figure helps you assess whether a dealer’s asking price is reasonable, and it gives you confidence when buying.

Grading: Learning to Assess Condition

Coin grading is the practice of assessing a coin’s condition on a standardised scale. In the UK, the traditional grading system runs as follows, from worst to best: Poor (P), Fair (F), Almost Good (AG), Good (G), Very Good (VG), Fine (F), Very Fine (VF), Extremely Fine (EF), About Uncirculated (AU), Uncirculated (Unc), and Brilliant Uncirculated (BU). American dealers and auction houses often use the Sheldon numerical scale (1-70), and you will encounter both systems, so it is worth familiarising yourself with each.

For beginners, the most practical approach is to focus on coins graded Fine or better. Below Fine, the detail becomes so worn that the coins lose much of their visual appeal and, in many cases, their collector value. A coin graded Very Fine retains most of its fine detail – you should be able to see hair strands on the portrait and the finer elements of the reverse design. Extremely Fine coins show only the lightest wear on the highest points of the design.

The best way to learn grading is to handle coins regularly. Visit coin fairs, handle examples at different grades, and compare them with grading photographs in specialist catalogues such as Coins of England and the United Kingdom, published annually by Spink & Son. This catalogue, commonly known simply as “Spink,” is the standard British reference and includes price guides for coins in multiple grades.

Where to Buy Pre-Decimal Silver

There is no shortage of places to source pre-decimal silver coins in the UK, and choosing the right venue depends on your budget, experience level, and how much you enjoy the social side of the hobby.

• Coin fairs: The largest and most prestigious is the annual London Coin Fair, held at the Holiday Inn Bloomsbury in central London. The British Numismatic Trade Association (BNTA) also lists regional fairs across England, Scotland and Wales on its website. Fairs allow you to handle coins before buying and to compare prices across multiple dealers in a single afternoon.
• Established dealers: Firms such as Spink & Son on Southampton Row in London, Baldwin’s of St James’s, and A.H. Baldwin & Sons have been trading for well over a century. Regional dealers – Warwick and Warwick in Warwickshire, Colin Cooke in Leeds, and Scottish dealers such as Roderick Richardson – are reputable and often more accessible for collectors outside London.
• Online auction platforms: eBay remains a significant marketplace for pre-decimal silver, though it requires caution. Stick to sellers with high positive feedback scores, read descriptions carefully, and be wary of coins described vaguely as “old” or “silver-coloured” without proper identification. The DNW (Dix Noonan Webb) and Noonan’s auction houses run specialist numismatic sales online and in person and are ideal once you have built some experience.
• Antique fairs and car boot sales: These can yield genuine bargains, but they also carry risk. Without proper grading knowledge, it is easy to overpay for worn or damaged coins. Treat finds from these sources as an educational opportunity rather than an investment strategy.
• Coin clubs: The British Numismatic Society and numerous regional clubs – such as the Midland Coin Fair group or the Scottish Numismatic Society – provide access to fellow collectors who may sell or swap from their own collections at fair prices.

Starting Your Collection: A Step-by-Step Approach

Deciding what to collect before you spend any money is the single most important step a beginner can take. Without a focus, it is easy to accumulate an unfocused assortment of coins that pleases no one, including yourself. Here is a practical sequence to follow:

1. Choose a denomination and reign. Do not try to collect everything at once. A sensible starting point might be George V sixpences (1911-1936) or Edward VII florins (1902-1910). These are well-documented, widely available, and offer a manageable number of dates to pursue.
2. Buy a copy of Spink’s catalogue. The current edition costs around £25 and is available from Spink directly, or from major booksellers. Familiarise yourself with the listed values for your chosen series at various grades.
3. Set a monthly budget. It need not be large – even £30 to £50 per month is enough to make consistent progress on a date run of sixpences or florins. Discipline matters more than spending power at the beginning.
4. Buy the best quality you can afford. Experienced collectors often say “buy the coin, not the story.” A single coin in Very Fine condition is more satisfying – and usually a better long-term decision – than three coins in Good condition at the same total cost.
5. Keep records from the start. Note where you bought each coin, what you paid, its grade, and any relevant information about the variety or mintage. A simple spreadsheet works well. This habit saves significant frustration later when insurance, resale or estate planning becomes relevant.
6. Learn to identify key dates and varieties. Within any series, certain dates were minted in smaller quantities and command higher premiums. For example, the 1905 florin is a genuinely scarce coin and carries a significant premium even in worn grades. Knowing these key dates prevents you from passing up a bargain or, conversely, from overpaying for a common date in an uncommonly attractive holder.