1 Shilling - Victoria 3rd portrait; 'Old Head'

Features

Issuer	United Kingdom
Queen	Victoria (1837-1901)
Type	Standard circulation coins
Years	1893-1901
Value	1 Shilling (1⁄20)
Currency	Pound sterling (1158-1971)
Composition	Silver (.925)
Weight	5.66 g
Diameter	23.5 mm
Shape	Round
Technique	Milled
Orientation	Medal alignment ↑↑
Demonetized	Yes
Number	N# 7172
References	KM# 780 Standard Catalog of World Coins (86 volumes). , Sp# 3940 Standard Catalogue of British Coins (37 volumes).

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Obverse

Older veiled bust ('Old Head') of Queen Victoria left, legend around.

Script: Latin

Lettering:
VICTORIA·DEI·GRA· ·BRITT·REGINA·FID·DEF · IND·IMP·
T.B.

Translation: Victoria by the Grace of God Queen of the Britains Defender of the Faith Empress of India

Engraver: Thomas Brock

Reverse

Crowned shields of arms with national flower emblems between, all within Garter, denomination above, date below. Part of the inner legend on the coin is covered by the arms.

Script: Latin

Lettering:
ONE SHILLING
· 1893 ·
·HONI·SO QVI· Y· PENSE·

Unabridged legend: ·HONI·SOIT QVI· MAL Y· PENSE·

Translation: Shame on he who thinks evil of it

Engraver: Edward John Poynter

Edge

Reeded

Mint

Royal Mint (Tower Hill), London, United Kingdom (1810-1975)

Comments

The standard weight of these coins was 2/11 troy ounce (87.3 grains).

All types show the veiled 'Old Head' on the obverse and three shields within a garter on the reverse, with a rose between the upper two shields:

Sp#3940 (1893-94) Obverse 8 Smaller lettering; Reverse 5 Small rose;
Sp#3940 (1893-96) Obverse 9 Larger lettering; Reverse 5 Small rose;
Sp#3940A (1895-1901) Obverse 9 Larger lettering; Reverse 6 Larger rose;

The small rose versions of 1895 and 1896 are the scarcer types of those dates.

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Date	Mintage	G	VG	F	VF	XF	AU	UNC		Frequency
Undetermined
1893	7 039 000		$ 23	$ 23	$ 23	$ 34	$ 46	$ 160		15%
1893	1 300							$ 750	Proof	0.4%
1894	5 953 100	$ 20	$ 20	$ 21	$ 31	$ 31	$ 47	$ 150		12%
1895	8 880 600	$ 12	$ 16	$ 16	$ 22	$ 34	$ 34	$ 110		18%
1896	9 264 500	$ 21	$ 21	$ 21	$ 27	$ 39	$ 65	$ 160		24%
1897	6 270 300	$ 12	$ 12	$ 16	$ 25	$ 40	$ 64	$ 64		18%
1898	9 768 700	$ 19	$ 19	$ 22	$ 28	$ 41	$ 54	$ 110		23%
1899	10 965 300	$ 11	$ 19	$ 19	$ 21	$ 37	$ 42	$ 150		27%
1900	10 937 500	$ 19	$ 19	$ 23	$ 25	$ 31	$ 47	$ 200		24%
1901	3 426 200		$ 16	$ 24	$ 25	$ 35	$ 37	$ 180		12%

Values in the table above are expressed in USD. They are based on evaluations by Numista users and sales realized on Internet platforms. They serve as an indication only; they are not intended to be relied upon for buying, selling or exchanging. Numista does not buy or sell coins or banknotes.

Frequencies show the percentage of Numista users who own each year or variety among all the users who own this coin. Since some users own several versions, the sum may be greater than 100%.

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Members from this site want to exchange it: patclay, TomB123, akadotour, mwilensk, SergheiSein, Azhardanish_Canada, ybigdan, JoachimSdl, C_pgn, pdekeyse, robertmx, aumi, Pannonicus, Limbru, cyprusalexander, asimov37, lhillman, zdravko, pictavien, Kebab, RichW, yoavei, obiwan, Meibion, Ancientsandmore, Baricatra, Scottish, Djslyva, PesPoisonFisch, AndresJan, WD40Texas, CLELIO, mitino, Giakosh, BasicPS, gyoschak, DeadMan__, Wolfgang, metalgeo, jacquesem27, iRipperoni, complete, hectorero, cavalierrogue, Nasdaq, scrapsmith75, CanBird81, wolffish1972, Amichayganon, floyd1…

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Numista Rarity index: 7 Search tips

This index is based on the data of Numista members collections. It ranges from 0 to 100, 0 meaning a very common coin or banknote and 100 meaning a rare coin or banknote among Numista members.

Bullion value: USD 12.35 Search tips

This value is given for information purpose only. It is based on a price of silver at 2359 USD/kg. Numista does not buy or sell coins or metal.

Actual silver weight: 0.168 oz

Current silver price: 73.38 USD/oz (see silver price

)

Examples of the type

Picture 1 of the example of 1 Shilling - Victoria (3rd portrait; 'Old Head')

Picture 2 of the example of 1 Shilling - Victoria (3rd portrait; 'Old Head')

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Past sales

Pictures	Sale	Date	Version	Grade	Sold price
	Heritage Auctions 2026 January 26 Spotlight: Great Britain World Coins Showcase Auction 61586 Lot 23193	26 Jan 2026	1893	UNC (NGC MS63 S)	USD 207.40 (incl. buyer's premium)
© Heritage Auctions
	Heritage Auctions Wednesday & Thursday World & Ancient Coins Select Auction 232601 Lot 61229	25 Dec 2025	1893	UNC (NGC MS64)	USD 119.00 (incl. buyer's premium)
© Heritage Auctions
	Heritage Auctions Wednesday & Thursday World & Ancient Coins Select Auction 232336 Lot 61301	31 Aug 2023	1893	UNC (NGC MS64)	USD 186.00 (incl. buyer's premium)
© Heritage Auctions
	Heritage Auctions Wednesday & Thursday World & Ancient Coins Select Auction 232314 Lot 61386	30 Mar 2023	1893	UNC (NGC MS65)	USD 159.00 (incl. buyer's premium)
© Heritage Auctions
	Heritage Auctions Wednesday & Thursday World & Ancient Coins Select Auction 232143 Lot 64452	27 Oct 2021	1893	UNC (PCGS MS64)	USD 114.00 (incl. buyer's premium)
© Heritage Auctions
	Heritage Auctions Wednesday & Thursday World & Ancient Coins Select Auction 232139 Lot 65499	29 Sep 2021	1893	UNC (NGC MS64)	USD 114.00 (incl. buyer's premium)
© Heritage Auctions
	Heritage Auctions Wednesday & Thursday World & Ancient Coins Weekly Online Auction 232111 Lot 63435	17 Mar 2021	1893	UNC (PCGS MS65)	USD 222.00 (incl. buyer's premium)
© Heritage Auctions
	Katz Auction 101 Lot 929	18 Nov 2023	1893	AU	USD 46.44 (EUR 40.00) (+ buyer's premium)
© Katz Coins Notes & Supplies Corp.
	Katz Auction 136 Lot 1666	28 Aug 2024	1893	XF	USD 26.70 (EUR 23.00) (+ buyer's premium)
© Katz Coins Notes & Supplies Corp.
	Heritage Auctions Wednesday & Thursday World & Ancient Coins Select Auction 232538 Lot 63151	11 Sep 2025	1893		The lot includes several items.
© Heritage Auctions