What Is My One Shilling Coin Value Today?
Posted by: Ian Stainton • 21 Feb 2026
You’ve found an old shilling tucked away in a drawer and now you’re wondering—is this a hidden treasure? It’s a common question, and you're not alone in asking it. The value of a one shilling coin can swing wildly from just a few pence to hundreds, or even thousands, of pounds.
So, what’s the secret? For most common, circulated shillings, the value is often tied to their silver content. But for rare dates or coins in pristine condition, collectors are willing to pay a serious premium. This guide offers practical tips and real-world insights into what your shilling is worth and how you can easily exchange it for cash.
Unpacking the History and Value of the British Shilling
The one shilling coin was once a cornerstone of British life for centuries, making it a popular piece for collectors and a frequent find in old coin jars. Understanding what makes one valuable can be a fascinating journey into our history.
A Cornerstone of British Currency
First minted way back in 1502 under Henry VII (when it was known as a 'testoon'), the shilling has a truly rich history. For centuries, it was valued at 12 pence—or one-twentieth of a pound sterling. That’s right, 20 shillings made a pound, a system that lasted right up until decimalisation on 15th February 1971.
Prices were often quoted in shillings, with terms like 'three and six' (3 shillings and 6 pence) being common. It was an everyday coin for generations. You can dive deeper into its long story and specifications in this detailed overview of the British shilling).
This history is key because a shilling’s value isn't just about its age. It’s a combination of a few crucial factors that determine whether it's worth pocket money or a small fortune.
To figure out what your shilling might be worth, you need to look at a few key things. It’s a bit like being a detective—the clues are all there on the coin itself.
Quick Guide to Shilling Value Factors
| Value Factor | Low Value Indicator | High Value Indicator |
|---|---|---|
| Year | Common, high-mintage year | Rare date with a low number of coins minted |
| Metal Content | Cupro-nickel (post-1946) | .925 Sterling silver (pre-1920) or .500 silver (1920-1946) |
| Condition | Heavily worn, scratched, or damaged | Uncirculated, with sharp details and original mint lustre |
| Mint Mark | No mint mark (usually London) | Rare mint marks or error varieties (e.g., overdates) |
| Provenance | Found in general circulation | Part of a known collection or hoard |
Ultimately, a coin's story is told through its date, its condition, and what it’s made of. A rare date in poor condition might be worth less than a more common date in perfect shape.
At We Buy All Currency, we make it simple to find out what your old coins are worth. Our service is fast, easy, and completely hassle-free, with no need for you to sort through your collection.
We are trusted by major brands, including UK charities, supermarkets, airports, and police forces, to handle everything from old British coins to leftover foreign currency. Whether you want to exchange foreign coins and notes or donate foreign coins to charity, we provide a 100% guaranteed service to convert them into cash.
How Silver Content Sets Your Shilling’s Base Value
Before you start looking for rare dates, the very first thing to check is what your shilling is actually made of. This is the key to understanding its base value. The metal in the coin gives it a fundamental 'melt' value—what the precious metal content alone is worth. Think of this as the starting price, before any extra value for collectors is even considered.
When it comes to British shillings, the story of their metal content falls into three distinct eras, and thankfully, you can tell which one your coin belongs to just by looking at the date. This makes life so much easier. A bag full of shillings from before 1947, for instance, has a significant built-in value from silver alone, no matter how worn they are.
You don't need any special equipment to figure this out. Just check the year.
The Sterling Silver Era Before 1920
If you've got a shilling dated 1919 or earlier, you're holding a piece of proper history minted from sterling silver. That means the coin is 92.5% pure silver, the standard that British silver coins were made to for centuries.
These are often called ‘.925 silver’ coins, and they have the highest amount of precious metal of any shilling. Even if they look like they’ve been through the wars, their silver content guarantees they are worth much more than their old face value.
A key takeaway is that any British shilling from before 1920 is a sterling silver coin. This makes a quick date check the most effective way to identify high-value silver in any unsorted collection.
This high silver content is why they're so popular with people looking to exchange foreign coins. Their value is directly linked to the live market price of silver.
The 50% Silver Period From 1920 To 1946
After the First World War, the price of silver shot up, which forced the Royal Mint to cut back. Shillings minted between 1920 and 1946 contain exactly 50% silver, with the rest being other metals.
While not quite as valuable as the older sterling ones, these ‘.500 silver’ coins still have a decent melt value. If you have a decent number of these half-silver shillings, their value can add up fast, making them another important group to spot when you convert foreign coins and banknotes.
The Switch To Cupro-Nickel After 1946
From 1947 onwards, the UK government made a permanent switch to a tough and much cheaper alloy called cupro-nickel for all its 'silver' coins. Shillings minted from this year until they were finally withdrawn in 1970 contain zero silver.
Because they have no precious metal content, their value comes down to their condition and whether they are a rare date that collectors are after. For most common, circulated shillings from after 1946, the value is typically very low.
At We Buy All Currency, we make it simple to cash in on your old coins. Our service is fast, easy, and completely hassle-free—there’s no need for you to sort your coins by date or metal. We are trusted by major brands, including charities, airports, and police forces, to handle everything. Simply send us your unsorted collection of leftover foreign currency, and we'll take care of the rest with our 100% guaranteed service. Get started by visiting our homepage today.
The Key Dates and Rare Shillings Collectors Hunt For
While the silver in a shilling gives it a solid base value, the real thrill comes when you stumble upon a rare date. Think of it as a treasure hunt. Most shillings you find will be common, but a handful of key years had tiny mintages, making them incredibly scarce and highly sought-after by collectors.
The difference in value between a common year and a rare one can be absolutely staggering. Finding one of these special shillings can turn an ordinary coin jar into a significant find. This is where a little helpful advice goes a long way, helping you spot the potential gems hiding in your collection.
Scarce Victorian Shillings
Queen Victoria’s long reign meant a lot of shillings were made, but they certainly weren't all created equal. While most are quite common, a few specific dates stand out because so few were ever produced.
A fantastic example is the 1851 shilling. With a tiny mintage, this coin is a real prize for collectors, often fetching over £100 even in worn condition. If you find one in great shape, it could be worth several hundred pounds. It just goes to show how a single year can elevate a coin’s worth far beyond its silver content. Another date to keep an eye out for is the 1866 shilling, which is also quite scarce.
Key Dates from the 20th Century
You don't need a coin from the 1800s to have something valuable on your hands. Several dates from the 20th century are highly desirable, too. Under King George V, some years had surprisingly low mintages, creating what you might call modern rarities.
- The 1923 Shilling: This is a notable key date from the 50% silver era, and it can command a serious premium.
- The 1926 'Modified Effigy' Shilling: A subtle change was made to the King's portrait this year, creating a scarcer variety that collectors actively hunt for.
- The 1934 Shilling: Another low-mintage year that is always in demand among enthusiasts.
Identifying a rare date is thrilling, but remember that condition plays a huge role. An uncirculated version of a scarce date will always be worth significantly more than a heavily worn one.
English vs Scottish Designs
Here’s a fascinating twist for shillings minted between 1937 and 1951: they came in two different designs. The Royal Mint produced both an "English" reverse (featuring a lion standing on a crown) and a "Scottish" reverse (with a lion seated, holding a sword and sceptre).
In most years, one design is much scarcer than the other. For instance, the 1950 English shilling had a much lower mintage than its Scottish counterpart, making it the more valuable of the two. Spotting these subtle differences adds another layer to the hunt. If you're interested in other coins from this period, you can find similar design variations in our guide to the two shillings coin value.
At We Buy All Currency, our experts can spot these rarities for you. Our process is fast, easy, and completely hassle-free, with no need for you to sort through dates yourself. We’re trusted by major brands, including charities and police forces, to assess and exchange foreign coins and notes with a 100% guarantee.
How to Assess Your Coin’s Condition Like a Pro
A rare date might grab the headlines, but a coin’s physical condition—what experts call its 'grade'—is what really drives the price up. Think of it like a vintage car; two models from the same year can have wildly different price tags depending on how well they’ve been looked after. This section will walk you through how to grade your shillings yourself, without getting bogged down in complicated jargon.
Learning to assess your coin’s condition gives you a solid first impression of its quality. You'll quickly learn to spot the visual clues that separate a battered, heavily-used coin from one that looks like it just rolled out of the Royal Mint.
What to Look For When Grading
The goal here is simple: figure out how much wear and tear the coin has seen since it was first made. You’ll want to pay close attention to the highest points of the design, like the monarch’s portrait and the fine details on the other side. The sharper these details are, the better the grade.
- Portrait Details: Check the monarch's hair, crown, and facial features. On a well-preserved coin, these lines will be crisp and distinct. If it's seen a lot of action, they’ll look flat and smoothed over.
- Lettering and Dates: Take a close look at the words around the edge of the coin, such as the monarch’s title and the year. Clear, sharp lettering is always a good sign.
- Original Shine: This is what collectors call 'mint lustre'—the original, almost frosty sheen a coin has when it’s brand new. If you can still see it, especially tucked away in the protected areas around the letters, you’ve got a coin in fantastic shape.
This picture gives you a great visual of how wear and tear can affect a coin's appearance and grade over time.
You can see how the details on the older coins to the left are much softer compared to the crisp features on the newer coins on the right. That’s the impact of circulation right there.
Understanding Common Coin Grades
You don’t need to be a professional numismatist to get a rough idea of your coin’s condition. Here’s a quick and easy guide to the most common grades you're likely to come across:
Fine (F): All the main design elements are there, but they show quite a bit of wear. The highest points of the design are flat, and a lot of the finer details are gone.
Very Fine (VF): Most of the details are clear, with just moderate wear. You can still make out details like the strands of hair in the portrait, but the very highest points might be a little smooth.
Uncirculated (UNC): The coin looks like it was minted yesterday. There are no signs of wear at all, it has its full mint lustre, and every detail is incredibly sharp.
Getting a handle on this will give you a much clearer picture of your one shilling coin value. Just remember, a common date in Uncirculated condition can often be worth more than a very rare date in poor, heavily worn condition.
The Easiest Way to Exchange Your Shillings For Cash
So, you’ve got a rough idea of what your shilling might be worth. The big question is: what now? For most people, figuring out where to sell old coins can feel like a maze of local dealers, online auctions, and private sales. It’s often a confusing and time-consuming process.
Selling to a local coin shop might seem like the easiest path, but their offers can be all over the place, and many are only interested in the high-value, mint-condition pieces. Auction sites like eBay open you up to a global market, but then you’re hit with seller fees, the chore of taking perfect photos and writing listings, and the risk of dealing with bidders who don't pay up. Honestly, for most people with a mixed bag of old coins, it’s more hassle than it's worth.
A Hassle-Free Solution For All Your Coins
We created our service to cut through all that noise. Our process is designed to be the simplest, most direct way to turn your old currency into cash. It's fast, easy, and 100% guaranteed—no hidden fees, no complicated steps, no stress. You don't need to be a coin expert or spend hours sorting through a pile of change.
The real beauty of what we do is its simplicity. It’s perfect for anyone looking to exchange old British coins and notes without any fuss. You can bundle everything together—shillings, old pennies, leftover holiday money from years ago, and any forgotten banknotes you find. We take care of the entire process from start to finish.
The flowchart below gives you a glimpse into how experts assess a coin's condition, which is the key to figuring out its value.
While it’s interesting to know what goes into grading, our service means you don't have to become an expert yourself. We do all the heavy lifting for you.
Why We Are The Trusted Choice
We’ve built our reputation on years of reliable service, earning the trust of some of the UK’s most respected organisations. We’re proud to be the currency exchange partner for major charities, national supermarkets, airports, and even police forces.
These organisations rely on us because they know we provide a professional, secure, and completely transparent service, every single time. When you send your coins to us, you get that very same level of assurance and care.
Our promise is simple: A fast, easy, and hassle-free exchange with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you're not completely happy with our valuation for any reason, we’ll send your currency straight back to you, free of charge.
This commitment has made us the go-to choice for anyone with unsorted or leftover foreign currency. There’s no need to sort your coins, check their condition, or worry about what’s valuable and what’s not. Just send it all to us, and we’ll handle the rest.
Comparing Your Options for Cashing in Old Coins
When it comes to cashing in old coins, you have a few different routes you can take. To make it clearer, here’s a quick comparison of the most common methods.
| Method | Speed | Ease of Use | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| We Buy All Currency | Very Fast | Very Easy | Anyone with mixed, unsorted coins and notes who wants a simple, guaranteed process. |
| Online Auctions (eBay etc.) | Slow | Difficult | Experienced sellers with high-value, individually graded coins who don't mind fees and admin. |
| Local Coin Dealers | Fast | Moderate | People with rare or valuable coins who are confident in their knowledge and can shop around for offers. |
| Private Sales | Very Slow | Difficult | Collectors selling to other known collectors, which requires trust and expertise. |
As you can see, while other options exist, they often require a lot of time, effort, and specialist knowledge. Our service is designed to be the most straightforward and efficient solution for the vast majority of people.
Ready to turn that drawer of old shillings and forgotten currency into useful cash? Get started on our homepage to see just how easy it is.
Turn Your Old Coins Into A Meaningful Donation
Ever thought that your old shillings and leftover holiday money could do more than just gather dust in a drawer? It’s easy to forget about them, but those forgotten coins have the potential to make a real difference.
By donating the proceeds from your currency exchange, you can turn what feels like clutter into vital support for a cause you believe in. It's a simple yet powerful way to help out.
A Hassle-Free Way to Support Charities
We've partnered with a wide range of respected UK charities, so you can direct your funds to an organisation that’s close to your heart. For charities themselves, trying to bank old or foreign coins is often a logistical nightmare they just aren't set up to handle.
By using our service to donate, you’re not just giving money—you’re providing a solution. You help charities sidestep complicated banking procedures, allowing them to get much-needed funds quickly and efficiently, without any of the administrative headaches.
This straightforward approach is built on trust and efficiency. It’s why we’re the chosen currency exchange service for countless charities, as well as major UK names like supermarkets, airports, and even police forces.
Turning Your Currency Into New Hope
The process couldn't be simpler. There’s no need to sort through your coins or even worry about the exact one shilling coin value. Just gather up your entire collection of unsorted coins and notes—from old shillings to leftover holiday cash—and send it all to us.
We’ll take care of the rest with our fast and 100% guaranteed service. You can then choose to have the full value sent directly to one of our charity partners, turning your old money into new hope. It’s a fantastic way to donate foreign coins to charity and know they’re having a positive impact.
To find out more and see which organisations you can support, take a look at our foreign coin charity donation programme. This simple act ensures your forgotten currency makes a lasting difference.
Got a Question About Your Shilling's Value?
It's natural to have questions, and we've heard most of them over the years. Here are some quick, clear answers to the most common queries we get about shilling coins. Getting these details right can save you a lot of time and make sure you get a fair value for your old money.
Are All Old British Shillings Made of Silver?
Not all of them, no. The quickest and most reliable way to know for sure is to check the date stamped on the coin.
- Before 1920: Any shilling from this era is made of 92.5% sterling silver.
- From 1920 to 1946: The silver content was cut down to 50%.
- After 1946: Shillings contain no silver at all and are made from a cupro-nickel alloy.
The date is the key—it tells you exactly what you're holding.
Should I Clean My Old Shilling Coins Before Sending Them In?
Please don't! We strongly advise against cleaning old coins. Even gentle rubbing can leave behind tiny scratches and permanently damage the coin’s surface. Collectors prize coins in their original, untouched state, and any cleaning can seriously reduce their value. Our service is designed to be completely hassle-free, so there's absolutely no need to sort or clean anything.
What if I Have Other Old or Foreign Coins?
That’s perfect! Our service is built specifically for people with mixed and unsorted collections. You can send your shillings along with any other old British money, pre-euro currencies, and any leftover foreign currency you have—all in the same package. We make it simple to exchange foreign coins and notes all in one go.
How Can I Be Sure I'm Getting a Fair Price?
Trust and transparency are the foundations of our business. We publish clear exchange rates with no hidden surprises, and it's all backed by our 100% satisfaction guarantee. Once we’ve received and valued your currency, we’ll send you an offer. If you’re not completely happy with it for any reason, we will return your items to you, free of charge. Our long-standing partnerships with major UK brands, including charities, airports, and police forces, are a testament to our commitment to providing a fair and reliable service.
Ready to turn those old shillings and forgotten bits of currency into cash? At We Buy All Currency, our process is fast, easy, and secure, with no sorting required. Visit our homepage to get started today!