Rare British Coins

Rare British Coins

List of British banknotes and coins, with commonly used terms.
Rare British Coins Pennies
Rare British Coins In Circulation
Rare British Coins Value
Coins[edit]

Check out our rare british coin selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our coins & money shops.
Pre-decimal[edit]Prior to decimalisation in 1971, there were 12 pence (written as 12d) in a shilling (written as 1s or 1/-) and 20 shillings in a pound, written as £1 (occasionally 'L' was used instead of the pound sign, £). There were therefore 240 pence in a pound. For example, 2 pounds 14 shillings and 5 pence could have been written as £2 14s 5d or £2 14/5.
The value of some coins fluctuated, particularly in the reigns of James I and Charles I. The value of a guinea fluctuated between 20 and 30 shillings before being fixed at 21 shillings in December 1717. These are denominations of British, or earlier English, coins – Scottish coins had different values.
Rare One Penny at Rare British Coins Rare One Penny coins for sale – or find out what your One Penny coin might be worth. Pennies have been minted through the centuries so this is a selection of one penny coins that are currently being offered for the highest prices we can find. 1971 New Pence 2 at Rare British Coins. 1971 New Pence 2 for sale – or find out what are 1971 New Pence 2 worth. We being you fine coins for serious numismatists. Search through 1000s of coins for sale right now. 1917 George V Sovereign. Circulating gold coinage was a casualty of the First World War.
CoinPre-decimalisation valuePost-decimalisation valueDates of useNotes
Mite[1]​1⁄24d; see notes£0.0001736; see notesTudor dates, back to Anglo-Saxon England, at least.In Tudor times, mites weren't minted but were used in accounting; one mite was one twenty-fourth of a penny or one sixth of a farthing.[2] In older times, a mite could be worth half a farthing or ​1⁄8d;[3] or about one-third of a farthing or about ​1⁄12d[4]
Quarter farthing​1⁄16d£0.000261839–1868.see note 1 below
Third farthing​1⁄12d£0.00034721827–1913.see note 1 below
Half farthing​1⁄8d£0.000520831828–1868.see note 1 below
Farthing​1⁄4d£0.00104167c. 1200–1960.The word 'farthing' means 'fourth part' (of a penny).
Halfpenny​1⁄2d£0.00211272–1969.Often called a 'ha'penny' (pronounced HAY-p'nee), plural halfpennies ('ha'pennies') for the coins, halfpence ('ha'pence') for the monetary amount.
Three farthings​3⁄4d£0.00311561–1582.
One penny1d£0.0042757–1970 (and thereafter only for Maundy).Commonly called a 'copper'; plural 'pennies' for the coins, 'pence' for the monetary amount
Three halfpence​11⁄2d£0.00631561–1582, 1834–1870.see note 1 below. Pronounced as 'three-ha'pence'
Half groat2d£0.00831351–1662.
Twopence2d£0.0083silver 1668–current (for Maundy); copper 1797–1798.Pronounced 'tuppence'.
Threepence3d£0.0125silver 1547–1945 (and thereafter only for Maundy), nickel-brass 1937–1970.Sometimes called 'thripp'nce', 'thrupp'nce', 'threpp'nce' or 'thripp'ny bit', 'thrupp'ny bit'. Referred to as a 'joey' after the groat was no longer in circulation, as featured in George Orwell's Keep the Aspidistra Flying.
Groat4d£0.0167silver 1279–1662, 1836–1862 (and thereafter only for Maundy).Referred to as a 'joey' after Joseph Hume, the economist and Member of Parliament until it stopped being issued in 1885.[5]
Sixpence6d£0.0251547–1970; circulated from 1971 to 1980 with a value of two and a half decimal pence.Also called 'tanner', sometimes 'tilbury',[6] or 'joey' after the groat was no longer in circulation.[citation needed]
Shilling1/-£0.051502–1970, circulated from 1971 to 1990 with a value of five decimal pence.Also called a 'bob', in singular or plural.
Quarter florin or helm1/6£0.0751344Gold coin demonetized within one year. see note 2 below
Gold penny1/8 to 2/-£0.0833 to £0.11257–1265.Gold. Undervalued for its metal content and extremely rare.
Quarter noble1/8£0.08331344–1470.
Quarter angel2/-£0.11547–1600.Gold.
Florin or two shillings2/-£0.11848–1970, circulated from 1971 to 1993 with a value of ten decimal pence.see note 2 below
Half crown2/6£0.1251526–1969.Sometimes known as 'half a dollar' (see Crown below).
Half florin or leopard3/-£0.151344Gold; extremely rare. see note 2 below
Half noble3/4 to 4/2£0.1667 to £0.2083minted 1346–1438.increased in value in 1464
Half angel3/4, later 5/6£0.1667, later £0.2751470–1619.
Double florin4/-£0.21887–1890.Silver. see note 2 below
Crown of the rose4/6£0.2251526–1551.
Crown5/-£0.251526–1965.Sometimes known as 'a dollar' – from the 1940s when the exchange rate was four USD to the GBP.
Quarter guinea5/3£0.26251718, 1762.
Florin or double leopard6/-£0.31344.Gold; demonetized within one year. see note 2 below
Noble6/8, later 8/4£0.3333, later £0.41671344–1464.Increased in value in 1464.
Angel6/8£0.33331461–1643.
Half mark6/8£0.333[medieval period]A unit of account, not a coin. Convenient as it was exactly one-third of a pound.
Third guinea7/-£0.351797–1813.
Rose noble or ryal10/-, later 15/-£0.5, later £0.751464–1470, 1487, 1553–1603.Increased in value from 1553.
Half sovereign10/-£0.51544–1553; 1603–1604; 1817–1937A bullion coin since 1980.
Halfpound10/-£0.51559–1602; 1642–1644
Double crown10/-£0.51604–1619; 1625–1662.
Half laurel10/-£0.51619–1625.
Half unite10/-£0.51642–1643.
Half guinea10/6£0.5251669–1813.
Mark13/4£0.667[medieval period]A unit of account not a coin, but widely used.
Spur ryal15/-£0.751604–1625.
Sovereign20/-£11489–1604; 1817–1937A bullion coin since 1957.
Unite20/-£11604–1619; 1649–1662.
Laurel20/-£11619–1644?
Carolus20/-, later 23/-£1, later £1.15reign of Charles I.
Broad20/-£11656.
Guinea21/-£1.051663–1799, 1813.
Rose Ryal30/-£1.501604–1625.
Two pounds40/-£21823–1937.Gold; 'double sovereign'.
Two guineas or double guineaoriginally 40/-, later 42/-originally £2, later £2.101664–1753.Originally known as a 'forty-shilling piece'; value changed to forty-two shillings after the Proclamation of 1717 finally settled the value of a guinea.
Fifty shillings50/-£2.501656.
Triple unite60/-£31642–1644.
Five pounds100/-£51826–1990.Gold.
Five guineasoriginally 100/-, later 105/-originally £5, later £5.251668–1753.Originally known and valued as five pounds, but became five guineas when the guinea was standardised at one pound and one shilling in 1717.
Visualisation of some British currency terms before decimalisation
Notes:

Coin	Pre-decimalisation value	Post-decimalisation value	Dates of use	Notes
Mite^[1]	¹⁄₂₄d; see notes	£0.0001736; see notes	Tudor dates, back to Anglo-Saxon England, at least.	In Tudor times, mites weren't minted but were used in accounting; one mite was one twenty-fourth of a penny or one sixth of a farthing.^[2] In older times, a mite could be worth half a farthing or ¹⁄₈d;^[3] or about one-third of a farthing or about ¹⁄₁₂d^[4]
Quarter farthing	¹⁄₁₆d	£0.00026	1839–1868.	see note 1 below
Third farthing	¹⁄₁₂d	£0.0003472	1827–1913.	see note 1 below
Half farthing	¹⁄₈d	£0.00052083	1828–1868.	see note 1 below
Farthing	¹⁄₄d	£0.00104167	c. 1200–1960.	The word 'farthing' means 'fourth part' (of a penny).
Halfpenny	¹⁄₂d	£0.0021	1272–1969.	Often called a 'ha'penny' (pronounced HAY-p'nee), plural halfpennies ('ha'pennies') for the coins, halfpence ('ha'pence') for the monetary amount.
Three farthings	³⁄₄d	£0.0031	1561–1582.
One penny	1d	£0.0042	757–1970 (and thereafter only for Maundy).	Commonly called a 'copper'; plural 'pennies' for the coins, 'pence' for the monetary amount
Three halfpence	1¹⁄₂d	£0.0063	1561–1582, 1834–1870.	see note 1 below. Pronounced as 'three-ha'pence'
Half groat	2d	£0.0083	1351–1662.
Twopence	2d	£0.0083	silver 1668–current (for Maundy); copper 1797–1798.	Pronounced 'tuppence'.
Threepence	3d	£0.0125	silver 1547–1945 (and thereafter only for Maundy), nickel-brass 1937–1970.	Sometimes called 'thripp'nce', 'thrupp'nce', 'threpp'nce' or 'thripp'ny bit', 'thrupp'ny bit'. Referred to as a 'joey' after the groat was no longer in circulation, as featured in George Orwell's Keep the Aspidistra Flying.
Groat	4d	£0.0167	silver 1279–1662, 1836–1862 (and thereafter only for Maundy).	Referred to as a 'joey' after Joseph Hume, the economist and Member of Parliament until it stopped being issued in 1885.^[5]
Sixpence	6d	£0.025	1547–1970; circulated from 1971 to 1980 with a value of two and a half decimal pence.	Also called 'tanner', sometimes 'tilbury',^[6] or 'joey' after the groat was no longer in circulation.^{[citation needed]}
Shilling	1/-	£0.05	1502–1970, circulated from 1971 to 1990 with a value of five decimal pence.	Also called a 'bob', in singular or plural.
Quarter florin or helm	1/6	£0.075	1344	Gold coin demonetized within one year. see note 2 below
Gold penny	1/8 to 2/-	£0.0833 to £0.1	1257–1265.	Gold. Undervalued for its metal content and extremely rare.
Quarter noble	1/8	£0.0833	1344–1470.
Quarter angel	2/-	£0.1	1547–1600.	Gold.
Florin or two shillings	2/-	£0.1	1848–1970, circulated from 1971 to 1993 with a value of ten decimal pence.	see note 2 below
Half crown	2/6	£0.125	1526–1969.	Sometimes known as 'half a dollar' (see Crown below).
Half florin or leopard	3/-	£0.15	1344	Gold; extremely rare. see note 2 below
Half noble	3/4 to 4/2	£0.1667 to £0.2083	minted 1346–1438.	increased in value in 1464
Half angel	3/4, later 5/6	£0.1667, later £0.275	1470–1619.
Double florin	4/-	£0.2	1887–1890.	Silver. see note 2 below
Crown of the rose	4/6	£0.225	1526–1551.
Crown	5/-	£0.25	1526–1965.	Sometimes known as 'a dollar' – from the 1940s when the exchange rate was four USD to the GBP.
Quarter guinea	5/3	£0.2625	1718, 1762.
Florin or double leopard	6/-	£0.3	1344.	Gold; demonetized within one year. see note 2 below
Noble	6/8, later 8/4	£0.3333, later £0.4167	1344–1464.	Increased in value in 1464.
Angel	6/8	£0.3333	1461–1643.
Half mark	6/8	£0.333	[medieval period]	A unit of account, not a coin. Convenient as it was exactly one-third of a pound.
Third guinea	7/-	£0.35	1797–1813.
Rose noble or ryal	10/-, later 15/-	£0.5, later £0.75	1464–1470, 1487, 1553–1603.	Increased in value from 1553.
Half sovereign	10/-	£0.5	1544–1553; 1603–1604; 1817–1937	A bullion coin since 1980.
Halfpound	10/-	£0.5	1559–1602; 1642–1644
Double crown	10/-	£0.5	1604–1619; 1625–1662.
Half laurel	10/-	£0.5	1619–1625.
Half unite	10/-	£0.5	1642–1643.
Half guinea	10/6	£0.525	1669–1813.
Mark	13/4	£0.667	[medieval period]	A unit of account not a coin, but widely used.
Spur ryal	15/-	£0.75	1604–1625.
Sovereign	20/-	£1	1489–1604; 1817–1937	A bullion coin since 1957.
Unite	20/-	£1	1604–1619; 1649–1662.
Laurel	20/-	£1	1619–1644?
Carolus	20/-, later 23/-	£1, later £1.15	reign of Charles I.
Broad	20/-	£1	1656.
Guinea	21/-	£1.05	1663–1799, 1813.
Rose Ryal	30/-	£1.50	1604–1625.
Two pounds	40/-	£2	1823–1937.	Gold; 'double sovereign'.
Two guineas or double guinea	originally 40/-, later 42/-	originally £2, later £2.10	1664–1753.	Originally known as a 'forty-shilling piece'; value changed to forty-two shillings after the Proclamation of 1717 finally settled the value of a guinea.
Fifty shillings	50/-	£2.50	1656.
Triple unite	60/-	£3	1642–1644.
Five pounds	100/-	£5	1826–1990.	Gold.
Five guineas	originally 100/-, later 105/-	originally £5, later £5.25	1668–1753.	Originally known and valued as five pounds, but became five guineas when the guinea was standardised at one pound and one shilling in 1717.

Denomination issued for use in the colonies, usually in Ceylon, Malta, and the West Indies, but normally counted as part of the British coinage.
The medieval florin, half florin, and quarter florin were gold coins intended to circulate in Europe as well as in England and were valued at much more than the Victorian and later florin and double florin. The medieval florins were withdrawn within a year because they contained insufficient gold for their face value and thus were unacceptable to merchants.
1915 half sovereign
1560–61 halfpound, one of the first English milled coins
1740 Two guineas
Decimal[edit]Since decimalisation on 'Decimal Day' in 1971, the pound has been divided into 100 pence. Originally the term 'new pence' was used; the word 'new' was dropped from the coinage in 1983. The old shilling equated to five (new) pence, and, for example, £2 10s 6d became ​£2.521⁄2. The symbol for the (old) penny, 'd', was replaced by 'p' (or initially sometimes 'np', for new pence). Thus 72 pence can be written as £0.72 or 72p; both were commonly read as 'seventy-two pee'.
Post-decimalisation British coins.NameValueNotes
Half penny ​1⁄2pSometimes written 'ha'penny' (pronounced HAY-p'nee), but normally called a 'half-pee'; demonetised and withdrawn from circulation in December 1984.
One penny 1p
Two pence 2p
Five pence 5pA direct replacement for the shilling. The coin was reduced in size in 1990.
Six pence6pMinted uniquely in 2016 as a commemorative coin.[7]
Ten pence 10pA replacement for the florin (two shillings). The coin was reduced in size in 1992.
Twenty pence 20pIntroduced in 1982.
Twenty-five pence 25pA commemorative coin issued between 1972 and 1981 as a post-decimal continuation of the old crown. From 1990 it was replaced in the commemorative role by the £5 coin.
Fifty pence 50pIntroduced in 1969, just prior to decimalisation, to replace the ten shilling note ('ten bob note'). It was initially sometimes called a 'ten bob bit'. The coin was reduced in size in 1997.
One pound£1Introduced in 1983 to replace the one pound note.
Sovereign£1Gold bullion coins, available in four other sizes too: quarter sovereign (25p), half sovereign (£​1⁄2), double sovereign (£2) and quintuple sovereign (£5).
Two pounds£2Issued as a commemorative coin from 1986 and in general circulation from 1998 (dated from 1997).
Britanniavarious valuesGold and silver bullion coins, either one — or multiples, or fractions of — troy ounces.
Five pounds£5Introduced in 1990 as a commemorative coin, as a continuation of the old crown, replacing the commemorative role of the twenty-five pence coin.
The Valiant£10Bullion / collectors' coins issued in 2018 and 2019; 10 troy ounces of silver.[8]
Twenty pounds£20Introduced in 2013 as a commemorative coin.[9]
Fifty pounds£50Introduced in 2015 as a commemorative coin.[10]
One hundred pounds£100Introduced in 2015 as a commemorative coin.[11]
Banknotes[edit]Main articles: Banknotes of the pound sterling and Bank of England note issues.Note: The description of banknotes given here relates to notes issued by the Bank of England. Three banks in Scotland and four banks in Northern Ireland also issue notes, in some or all of the denominations: £1, £5, £10, £20, £50, £100.
British bank notes:Pre-decimalisation British Notes:NameValueCirculationNotes
Five shilling note5/-(£0.25)N non-circulatingOriginally issued by the treasury in 1914-1928. Not replaced by Bank of England notes.
Ten shilling note10/-(£0.5)N non-circulatingOriginally issued by the treasury in 1914. Replaced by Bank of England notes from 1928. Commonly known as 'ten bob note' or 'half a quid'. 1914–1970.
Post-decimalisation British Notes:
NameValueCirculationNotes£1 note£1N non-circulatingWithdrawn in 1988, it is still issued by the Royal Bank of Scotland, Bank of Ireland and still used in some of the Channel Islands.[citation needed]£5 note£5 in circulationThe original 'large white fiver' five pound note was known as 'five jacks' and replaced in 1957 by the blue £5 note. Now also known as a 'fiver'.£10 note£10 in circulationAlso known as a 'tenner', or an 'ayrton', from Ayrton Senna£20 note£20 in circulationAlso known as a 'score'.£50 note£50 in circulationAlso known as a 'bullseye'.£100 note£100N not in circulationIssued by Scottish and Northern-Irish banks only.£1,000,000 note£1,000,000N non-circulatingAlso known as a 'Giant'. Used as backing for banknotes issued by Scottish and Northern Irish banks when exceeding the value of their 1845 reserves. The amount to be covered is over a billion pounds.[12] Also issued in 1948 as a temporary measure during the postwar reconstruction in the Marshall Plan.[13]£10,000,000 note£10,000,000N non-circulatingUsed as backing for banknotes issued by Scottish and Northern Irish banks when exceeding the value of their 1845 reserves. The amount to be covered is over a billion pounds.£100,000,000 note£100,000,000N non-circulatingAlso known as a 'Titan'. Used as backing for banknotes issued by Scottish and Northern Irish banks when exceeding the value of their 1845 reserves. The amount to be covered is over a billion pounds.[12]Bank of England notes are periodically redesigned and reissued, with the old notes being withdrawn from circulation and destroyed. Each redesign is allocated a 'series'. Currently the £50 note is 'series F' issue whilst the £5, £10 and £20 notes are 'series G' issue. Series G is the latest round of redesign, which commenced in September 2016 with the polymer £5 note, September 2017 with the polymer £10 note, and February 2020 with the polymer £20 note.[14]
References[edit]^Mentioned in the King James Bible: Mark 12:41–4, but referring to a European currency. http://www.medievalcoinage.com/denominations/index.htm
^Lara E. Eakins. 'Coinage'. tudorhistory.org. Retrieved 22 June 2014.
^Francis Sellon White (1827). A History of Inventions and Discoveries: Alphabetically Arranged. C. and J. Rivington, London. p. 218. Retrieved 22 June 2014. english coin called a mite.
^Samuel Maunder (1841). The Scientific and Literary Treasury; A New and Popular Encyclopedia of the Belles Lettres. Longman, Orme, Brown, Green, & Longmans. Retrieved 22 June 2014.
^'Slang Terms for Money'.
^'Money Slang'.
^https://www.royalmint.com/our-coins/ranges/historic-coins/historic-coins/the-windsor-silver-sixpence-set/.Missing or empty |title= (help)
^The Valiant
^'£20 Coins'. The Royal Mint.
^'£50 Coins'. The Royal Mint. Archived from the original on 3 December 2015. Retrieved 29 September 2016.
^'Buckingham Palace 2015 UK £100 Fine Silver Coin'. Royal Mint. Archived from the original on 4 October 2015. Retrieved 12 August 2015.
^ ab'Scottish and Northern Ireland Banknotes - The Role of Backing Assets'. Bank of England. Archived from the original on 19 November 2015. Retrieved 26 September 2013.
^'One in a Million'. Time. 5 August 2009. Retrieved 13 April 2018.
^http://www.bankofengland.co.uk/banknotes/current/index.htm Current banknotes of the Bank of England
External links[edit]Retrieved from 'https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_British_banknotes_and_coins&oldid=993821686'
This page contains a list of all the non gold slightly scarcer British predecimal coin 'Key Dates' since 1821, for all denominations.
Please be aware that condition is always by far the most important thing where coin collectors are concerned. Even if you do have a coin from a date listed on this page it doesn't mean it's highly sought after or that rare, just that it's usually a little harder to find than its 'dated neighbours'. Often key date coins if Fine grade or below are worth little more, or sometimes about the same as the commoner dates.
The list was compiled including all the usual scarcer date British coins (some of them legendary!) with additions of other coins made according to current catalogue values. I have not included mint errors (e.g letters/numbers struck on top of other characters), proofs, gold coins or colonial issued coins.
Most of the coins on this page are worth between £1 and £10 with the excessively rare coins (marked with a ' * ') being worth a small fortune. All silver coins issued before 1920 are sterling (.925) Silver, and all coins issued between 1920 and 1946 contain 50% silver (.500) so because of the bullion content these coins are usually worth a little more than the post 1947 'Silver' coins.
By denomination, Lowest first:
FarthingRare British Coins Pennies1842. 1844. 1849. 1859. 1860 (Larger copper type with date under the Queen). 1863. 1895 (Bun head Victoria). 1937* Edward VIII.
Half Penny1825. 1843. 1845. 1860* (Larger copper type with date under the Queen). 1871. 1902 (Lower tide on reverse). 1904 slightly scarcer than normal. 1957 with a calm sea is scarcer.
Penny1837. 1843. 1849. 1860 bronze bun type is scarcer in certain varieties, the most commonly found is very common. 1861 as 1860. 1869. 1871. 1875H ('H' below date). 1895 with no sea. 1902 with low tide. 1912H ('H' Next to date). 1918H ('H' Next to date). 1918KN ('KN' Next to date). 1919H ('H' Next to date). 1919KN ('KN' Next to date). 1926 with newer head type. 1933* Pattern only. 1937* Edward VIII. 1950. 1951. 1954*.
Threepence (Silver small type)1852. 1853. 1893 With Jubilee head. 1937* Edward VIII. 1945* (Must be silver) strictly a colonial coin, but worth putting in for it's £4,000 value! 1953 (Must be the silver maundy type).
Threepence (Brass 12 sided type)1937* Edward VIII. 1946. 1949.
Rare British Coins In CirculationFourpence or Groat1851. 1852. 1853. 1888 with Jubilee head.
Sixpence1824. 1825. 1826. 1827. 1828. 1836. 1837. 1848. 1854. 1862. 1863. 1882. 1893 Not to be confused with maundy common issue. 1937* Edward VIII. 1952. 1954 Just slightly scarcer.
Shilling1848. 1850. 1851. 1879. 1882. 1889 with smaller head. 1905. 1957 Scotish type. 1958 English type. 1959 Scotish type.
Florin1849. 1854 (MDCCCLIV). 1891. 1892. 1905 (In fact, any Edward VII with a readable date are getting harder to find). 1925. 1932. 1937* Edward VIII. 1954 and 1959 in high grade only.
Half Crown1823 Without shield in garter. 1824 Bare head type. 1839. 1841. 1887 young head (Not priced high now, but low mintage, so an educated prediction). Generally all Edward VII are scarce but especially 1905 and 1903. 1925. 1930. 1937* Edward VIII. 1954 and 1959 only in high grades.
Double FlorinAll pretty common with the exception of the George V and VI pattern issues.
CrownGenerally all Victorian Young head and Gothic head Crowns are scarce (1837-1853. 1893 with LVII on edge. 1898 with LXI on edge. 1900. 1902 is scarce, especially in high grades. 1927 (proof only). 1928. 1929. 1930. 1931. 1932. 1933. 1934*. 1936. 1937* Edward VIII.
Rare British Coins ValuePlease note that some coins in high grades are worth considerable sums even if they are not on this list! This list reflects (as accurately as possible) coin mintage numbers and demand, and when a demand drops coin prices go down. Although this is rare, it is not impossible.
Chris Perkins 3rd June 2003 and updated 28th July 2015.

Name	Value	Notes
Half penny	¹⁄₂p	Sometimes written 'ha'penny' (pronounced HAY-p'nee), but normally called a 'half-pee'; demonetised and withdrawn from circulation in December 1984.
One penny	1p
Two pence	2p
Five pence	5p	A direct replacement for the shilling. The coin was reduced in size in 1990.
Six pence	6p	Minted uniquely in 2016 as a commemorative coin.^[7]
Ten pence	10p	A replacement for the florin (two shillings). The coin was reduced in size in 1992.
Twenty pence	20p	Introduced in 1982.
Twenty-five pence	25p	A commemorative coin issued between 1972 and 1981 as a post-decimal continuation of the old crown. From 1990 it was replaced in the commemorative role by the £5 coin.
Fifty pence	50p	Introduced in 1969, just prior to decimalisation, to replace the ten shilling note ('ten bob note'). It was initially sometimes called a 'ten bob bit'. The coin was reduced in size in 1997.
One pound	£1	Introduced in 1983 to replace the one pound note.
Sovereign	£1	Gold bullion coins, available in four other sizes too: quarter sovereign (25p), half sovereign (£¹⁄₂), double sovereign (£2) and quintuple sovereign (£5).
Two pounds	£2	Issued as a commemorative coin from 1986 and in general circulation from 1998 (dated from 1997).
Britannia	various values	Gold and silver bullion coins, either one — or multiples, or fractions of — troy ounces.
Five pounds	£5	Introduced in 1990 as a commemorative coin, as a continuation of the old crown, replacing the commemorative role of the twenty-five pence coin.
The Valiant	£10	Bullion / collectors' coins issued in 2018 and 2019; 10 troy ounces of silver.^[8]
Twenty pounds	£20	Introduced in 2013 as a commemorative coin.^[9]
Fifty pounds	£50	Introduced in 2015 as a commemorative coin.^[10]
One hundred pounds	£100	Introduced in 2015 as a commemorative coin.^[11]

Name	Value	Circulation	Notes
Five shilling note	5/-(£0.25)	N non-circulating	Originally issued by the treasury in 1914-1928. Not replaced by Bank of England notes.
Ten shilling note	10/-(£0.5)	N non-circulating	Originally issued by the treasury in 1914. Replaced by Bank of England notes from 1928. Commonly known as 'ten bob note' or 'half a quid'. 1914–1970.

Check out our rare british coin selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our coins & money shops.
Pre-decimal[edit]Prior to decimalisation in 1971, there were 12 pence (written as 12d) in a shilling (written as 1s or 1/-) and 20 shillings in a pound, written as £1 (occasionally 'L' was used instead of the pound sign, £). There were therefore 240 pence in a pound. For example, 2 pounds 14 shillings and 5 pence could have been written as £2 14s 5d or £2 14/5.
The value of some coins fluctuated, particularly in the reigns of James I and Charles I. The value of a guinea fluctuated between 20 and 30 shillings before being fixed at 21 shillings in December 1717. These are denominations of British, or earlier English, coins – Scottish coins had different values.
Rare One Penny at Rare British Coins Rare One Penny coins for sale – or find out what your One Penny coin might be worth. Pennies have been minted through the centuries so this is a selection of one penny coins that are currently being offered for the highest prices we can find. 1971 New Pence 2 at Rare British Coins. 1971 New Pence 2 for sale – or find out what are 1971 New Pence 2 worth. We being you fine coins for serious numismatists. Search through 1000s of coins for sale right now. 1917 George V Sovereign. Circulating gold coinage was a casualty of the First World War.
CoinPre-decimalisation valuePost-decimalisation valueDates of useNotes
Mite[1]​1⁄24d; see notes£0.0001736; see notesTudor dates, back to Anglo-Saxon England, at least.In Tudor times, mites weren't minted but were used in accounting; one mite was one twenty-fourth of a penny or one sixth of a farthing.[2] In older times, a mite could be worth half a farthing or ​1⁄8d;[3] or about one-third of a farthing or about ​1⁄12d[4]
Quarter farthing​1⁄16d£0.000261839–1868.see note 1 below
Third farthing​1⁄12d£0.00034721827–1913.see note 1 below
Half farthing​1⁄8d£0.000520831828–1868.see note 1 below
Farthing​1⁄4d£0.00104167c. 1200–1960.The word 'farthing' means 'fourth part' (of a penny).
Halfpenny​1⁄2d£0.00211272–1969.Often called a 'ha'penny' (pronounced HAY-p'nee), plural halfpennies ('ha'pennies') for the coins, halfpence ('ha'pence') for the monetary amount.
Three farthings​3⁄4d£0.00311561–1582.
One penny1d£0.0042757–1970 (and thereafter only for Maundy).Commonly called a 'copper'; plural 'pennies' for the coins, 'pence' for the monetary amount
Three halfpence​11⁄2d£0.00631561–1582, 1834–1870.see note 1 below. Pronounced as 'three-ha'pence'
Half groat2d£0.00831351–1662.
Twopence2d£0.0083silver 1668–current (for Maundy); copper 1797–1798.Pronounced 'tuppence'.
Threepence3d£0.0125silver 1547–1945 (and thereafter only for Maundy), nickel-brass 1937–1970.Sometimes called 'thripp'nce', 'thrupp'nce', 'threpp'nce' or 'thripp'ny bit', 'thrupp'ny bit'. Referred to as a 'joey' after the groat was no longer in circulation, as featured in George Orwell's Keep the Aspidistra Flying.
Groat4d£0.0167silver 1279–1662, 1836–1862 (and thereafter only for Maundy).Referred to as a 'joey' after Joseph Hume, the economist and Member of Parliament until it stopped being issued in 1885.[5]
Sixpence6d£0.0251547–1970; circulated from 1971 to 1980 with a value of two and a half decimal pence.Also called 'tanner', sometimes 'tilbury',[6] or 'joey' after the groat was no longer in circulation.[citation needed]
Shilling1/-£0.051502–1970, circulated from 1971 to 1990 with a value of five decimal pence.Also called a 'bob', in singular or plural.
Quarter florin or helm1/6£0.0751344Gold coin demonetized within one year. see note 2 below
Gold penny1/8 to 2/-£0.0833 to £0.11257–1265.Gold. Undervalued for its metal content and extremely rare.
Quarter noble1/8£0.08331344–1470.
Quarter angel2/-£0.11547–1600.Gold.
Florin or two shillings2/-£0.11848–1970, circulated from 1971 to 1993 with a value of ten decimal pence.see note 2 below
Half crown2/6£0.1251526–1969.Sometimes known as 'half a dollar' (see Crown below).
Half florin or leopard3/-£0.151344Gold; extremely rare. see note 2 below
Half noble3/4 to 4/2£0.1667 to £0.2083minted 1346–1438.increased in value in 1464
Half angel3/4, later 5/6£0.1667, later £0.2751470–1619.
Double florin4/-£0.21887–1890.Silver. see note 2 below
Crown of the rose4/6£0.2251526–1551.
Crown5/-£0.251526–1965.Sometimes known as 'a dollar' – from the 1940s when the exchange rate was four USD to the GBP.
Quarter guinea5/3£0.26251718, 1762.
Florin or double leopard6/-£0.31344.Gold; demonetized within one year. see note 2 below
Noble6/8, later 8/4£0.3333, later £0.41671344–1464.Increased in value in 1464.
Angel6/8£0.33331461–1643.
Half mark6/8£0.333[medieval period]A unit of account, not a coin. Convenient as it was exactly one-third of a pound.
Third guinea7/-£0.351797–1813.
Rose noble or ryal10/-, later 15/-£0.5, later £0.751464–1470, 1487, 1553–1603.Increased in value from 1553.
Half sovereign10/-£0.51544–1553; 1603–1604; 1817–1937A bullion coin since 1980.
Halfpound10/-£0.51559–1602; 1642–1644
Double crown10/-£0.51604–1619; 1625–1662.
Half laurel10/-£0.51619–1625.
Half unite10/-£0.51642–1643.
Half guinea10/6£0.5251669–1813.
Mark13/4£0.667[medieval period]A unit of account not a coin, but widely used.
Spur ryal15/-£0.751604–1625.
Sovereign20/-£11489–1604; 1817–1937A bullion coin since 1957.
Unite20/-£11604–1619; 1649–1662.
Laurel20/-£11619–1644?
Carolus20/-, later 23/-£1, later £1.15reign of Charles I.
Broad20/-£11656.
Guinea21/-£1.051663–1799, 1813.
Rose Ryal30/-£1.501604–1625.
Two pounds40/-£21823–1937.Gold; 'double sovereign'.
Two guineas or double guineaoriginally 40/-, later 42/-originally £2, later £2.101664–1753.Originally known as a 'forty-shilling piece'; value changed to forty-two shillings after the Proclamation of 1717 finally settled the value of a guinea.
Fifty shillings50/-£2.501656.
Triple unite60/-£31642–1644.
Five pounds100/-£51826–1990.Gold.
Five guineasoriginally 100/-, later 105/-originally £5, later £5.251668–1753.Originally known and valued as five pounds, but became five guineas when the guinea was standardised at one pound and one shilling in 1717.
Visualisation of some British currency terms before decimalisation
Notes:
Denomination issued for use in the colonies, usually in Ceylon, Malta, and the West Indies, but normally counted as part of the British coinage.
The medieval florin, half florin, and quarter florin were gold coins intended to circulate in Europe as well as in England and were valued at much more than the Victorian and later florin and double florin. The medieval florins were withdrawn within a year because they contained insufficient gold for their face value and thus were unacceptable to merchants.
1915 half sovereign
1560–61 halfpound, one of the first English milled coins
1740 Two guineas
Decimal[edit]Since decimalisation on 'Decimal Day' in 1971, the pound has been divided into 100 pence. Originally the term 'new pence' was used; the word 'new' was dropped from the coinage in 1983. The old shilling equated to five (new) pence, and, for example, £2 10s 6d became ​£2.521⁄2. The symbol for the (old) penny, 'd', was replaced by 'p' (or initially sometimes 'np', for new pence). Thus 72 pence can be written as £0.72 or 72p; both were commonly read as 'seventy-two pee'.
Post-decimalisation British coins.NameValueNotes
Half penny ​1⁄2pSometimes written 'ha'penny' (pronounced HAY-p'nee), but normally called a 'half-pee'; demonetised and withdrawn from circulation in December 1984.
One penny 1p
Two pence 2p
Five pence 5pA direct replacement for the shilling. The coin was reduced in size in 1990.
Six pence6pMinted uniquely in 2016 as a commemorative coin.[7]
Ten pence 10pA replacement for the florin (two shillings). The coin was reduced in size in 1992.
Twenty pence 20pIntroduced in 1982.
Twenty-five pence 25pA commemorative coin issued between 1972 and 1981 as a post-decimal continuation of the old crown. From 1990 it was replaced in the commemorative role by the £5 coin.
Fifty pence 50pIntroduced in 1969, just prior to decimalisation, to replace the ten shilling note ('ten bob note'). It was initially sometimes called a 'ten bob bit'. The coin was reduced in size in 1997.
One pound£1Introduced in 1983 to replace the one pound note.
Sovereign£1Gold bullion coins, available in four other sizes too: quarter sovereign (25p), half sovereign (£​1⁄2), double sovereign (£2) and quintuple sovereign (£5).
Two pounds£2Issued as a commemorative coin from 1986 and in general circulation from 1998 (dated from 1997).
Britanniavarious valuesGold and silver bullion coins, either one — or multiples, or fractions of — troy ounces.
Five pounds£5Introduced in 1990 as a commemorative coin, as a continuation of the old crown, replacing the commemorative role of the twenty-five pence coin.
The Valiant£10Bullion / collectors' coins issued in 2018 and 2019; 10 troy ounces of silver.[8]
Twenty pounds£20Introduced in 2013 as a commemorative coin.[9]
Fifty pounds£50Introduced in 2015 as a commemorative coin.[10]
One hundred pounds£100Introduced in 2015 as a commemorative coin.[11]
Banknotes[edit]Main articles: Banknotes of the pound sterling and Bank of England note issues.Note: The description of banknotes given here relates to notes issued by the Bank of England. Three banks in Scotland and four banks in Northern Ireland also issue notes, in some or all of the denominations: £1, £5, £10, £20, £50, £100.
British bank notes:Pre-decimalisation British Notes:NameValueCirculationNotes
Five shilling note5/-(£0.25)N non-circulatingOriginally issued by the treasury in 1914-1928. Not replaced by Bank of England notes.
Ten shilling note10/-(£0.5)N non-circulatingOriginally issued by the treasury in 1914. Replaced by Bank of England notes from 1928. Commonly known as 'ten bob note' or 'half a quid'. 1914–1970.
Post-decimalisation British Notes:
NameValueCirculationNotes£1 note£1N non-circulatingWithdrawn in 1988, it is still issued by the Royal Bank of Scotland, Bank of Ireland and still used in some of the Channel Islands.[citation needed]£5 note£5 in circulationThe original 'large white fiver' five pound note was known as 'five jacks' and replaced in 1957 by the blue £5 note. Now also known as a 'fiver'.£10 note£10 in circulationAlso known as a 'tenner', or an 'ayrton', from Ayrton Senna£20 note£20 in circulationAlso known as a 'score'.£50 note£50 in circulationAlso known as a 'bullseye'.£100 note£100N not in circulationIssued by Scottish and Northern-Irish banks only.£1,000,000 note£1,000,000N non-circulatingAlso known as a 'Giant'. Used as backing for banknotes issued by Scottish and Northern Irish banks when exceeding the value of their 1845 reserves. The amount to be covered is over a billion pounds.[12] Also issued in 1948 as a temporary measure during the postwar reconstruction in the Marshall Plan.[13]£10,000,000 note£10,000,000N non-circulatingUsed as backing for banknotes issued by Scottish and Northern Irish banks when exceeding the value of their 1845 reserves. The amount to be covered is over a billion pounds.£100,000,000 note£100,000,000N non-circulatingAlso known as a 'Titan'. Used as backing for banknotes issued by Scottish and Northern Irish banks when exceeding the value of their 1845 reserves. The amount to be covered is over a billion pounds.[12]Bank of England notes are periodically redesigned and reissued, with the old notes being withdrawn from circulation and destroyed. Each redesign is allocated a 'series'. Currently the £50 note is 'series F' issue whilst the £5, £10 and £20 notes are 'series G' issue. Series G is the latest round of redesign, which commenced in September 2016 with the polymer £5 note, September 2017 with the polymer £10 note, and February 2020 with the polymer £20 note.[14]
References[edit]^Mentioned in the King James Bible: Mark 12:41–4, but referring to a European currency. http://www.medievalcoinage.com/denominations/index.htm
^Lara E. Eakins. 'Coinage'. tudorhistory.org. Retrieved 22 June 2014.
^Francis Sellon White (1827). A History of Inventions and Discoveries: Alphabetically Arranged. C. and J. Rivington, London. p. 218. Retrieved 22 June 2014. english coin called a mite.
^Samuel Maunder (1841). The Scientific and Literary Treasury; A New and Popular Encyclopedia of the Belles Lettres. Longman, Orme, Brown, Green, & Longmans. Retrieved 22 June 2014.
^'Slang Terms for Money'.
^'Money Slang'.
^https://www.royalmint.com/our-coins/ranges/historic-coins/historic-coins/the-windsor-silver-sixpence-set/.Missing or empty |title= (help)
^The Valiant
^'£20 Coins'. The Royal Mint.
^'£50 Coins'. The Royal Mint. Archived from the original on 3 December 2015. Retrieved 29 September 2016.
^'Buckingham Palace 2015 UK £100 Fine Silver Coin'. Royal Mint. Archived from the original on 4 October 2015. Retrieved 12 August 2015.
^ ab'Scottish and Northern Ireland Banknotes - The Role of Backing Assets'. Bank of England. Archived from the original on 19 November 2015. Retrieved 26 September 2013.
^'One in a Million'. Time. 5 August 2009. Retrieved 13 April 2018.
^http://www.bankofengland.co.uk/banknotes/current/index.htm Current banknotes of the Bank of England
External links[edit]Retrieved from 'https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_British_banknotes_and_coins&oldid=993821686'
This page contains a list of all the non gold slightly scarcer British predecimal coin 'Key Dates' since 1821, for all denominations.
Please be aware that condition is always by far the most important thing where coin collectors are concerned. Even if you do have a coin from a date listed on this page it doesn't mean it's highly sought after or that rare, just that it's usually a little harder to find than its 'dated neighbours'. Often key date coins if Fine grade or below are worth little more, or sometimes about the same as the commoner dates.
The list was compiled including all the usual scarcer date British coins (some of them legendary!) with additions of other coins made according to current catalogue values. I have not included mint errors (e.g letters/numbers struck on top of other characters), proofs, gold coins or colonial issued coins.
Most of the coins on this page are worth between £1 and £10 with the excessively rare coins (marked with a ' * ') being worth a small fortune. All silver coins issued before 1920 are sterling (.925) Silver, and all coins issued between 1920 and 1946 contain 50% silver (.500) so because of the bullion content these coins are usually worth a little more than the post 1947 'Silver' coins.
By denomination, Lowest first:
FarthingRare British Coins Pennies1842. 1844. 1849. 1859. 1860 (Larger copper type with date under the Queen). 1863. 1895 (Bun head Victoria). 1937* Edward VIII.
Half Penny1825. 1843. 1845. 1860* (Larger copper type with date under the Queen). 1871. 1902 (Lower tide on reverse). 1904 slightly scarcer than normal. 1957 with a calm sea is scarcer.
Penny1837. 1843. 1849. 1860 bronze bun type is scarcer in certain varieties, the most commonly found is very common. 1861 as 1860. 1869. 1871. 1875H ('H' below date). 1895 with no sea. 1902 with low tide. 1912H ('H' Next to date). 1918H ('H' Next to date). 1918KN ('KN' Next to date). 1919H ('H' Next to date). 1919KN ('KN' Next to date). 1926 with newer head type. 1933* Pattern only. 1937* Edward VIII. 1950. 1951. 1954*.
Threepence (Silver small type)1852. 1853. 1893 With Jubilee head. 1937* Edward VIII. 1945* (Must be silver) strictly a colonial coin, but worth putting in for it's £4,000 value! 1953 (Must be the silver maundy type).
Threepence (Brass 12 sided type)1937* Edward VIII. 1946. 1949.
Rare British Coins In CirculationFourpence or Groat1851. 1852. 1853. 1888 with Jubilee head.
Sixpence1824. 1825. 1826. 1827. 1828. 1836. 1837. 1848. 1854. 1862. 1863. 1882. 1893 Not to be confused with maundy common issue. 1937* Edward VIII. 1952. 1954 Just slightly scarcer.
Shilling1848. 1850. 1851. 1879. 1882. 1889 with smaller head. 1905. 1957 Scotish type. 1958 English type. 1959 Scotish type.
Florin1849. 1854 (MDCCCLIV). 1891. 1892. 1905 (In fact, any Edward VII with a readable date are getting harder to find). 1925. 1932. 1937* Edward VIII. 1954 and 1959 in high grade only.
Half Crown1823 Without shield in garter. 1824 Bare head type. 1839. 1841. 1887 young head (Not priced high now, but low mintage, so an educated prediction). Generally all Edward VII are scarce but especially 1905 and 1903. 1925. 1930. 1937* Edward VIII. 1954 and 1959 only in high grades.
Double FlorinAll pretty common with the exception of the George V and VI pattern issues.
CrownGenerally all Victorian Young head and Gothic head Crowns are scarce (1837-1853. 1893 with LVII on edge. 1898 with LXI on edge. 1900. 1902 is scarce, especially in high grades. 1927 (proof only). 1928. 1929. 1930. 1931. 1932. 1933. 1934*. 1936. 1937* Edward VIII.
Rare British Coins ValuePlease note that some coins in high grades are worth considerable sums even if they are not on this list! This list reflects (as accurately as possible) coin mintage numbers and demand, and when a demand drops coin prices go down. Although this is rare, it is not impossible.
Chris Perkins 3rd June 2003 and updated 28th July 2015.
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Read about predecimal denominations.
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