1 Shilling - Elizabeth II Scottish shield; with 'BRITT:OMN'

Features

Issuer	United Kingdom
Queen	Elizabeth II (1952-2022)
Type	Standard circulation coins
Year	1953
Value	1 Shilling (1⁄20)
Currency	Pound sterling (1158-1971)
Composition	Copper-nickel (75% Cu, 25% Ni)
Weight	5.66 g
Diameter	23.5 mm
Thickness	1.7 mm
Shape	Round
Technique	Milled
Orientation	Medal alignment ↑↑
Demonetized	31 December 1990
Number	N# 8254
References	KM# 891 Standard Catalog of World Coins (86 volumes). , Sp# 4140 Standard Catalogue of British Coins (37 volumes).

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Obverse

Young laureate bust of Queen Elizabeth II right, legend around.

Note: with 'BRITT:OMN'

Script: Latin

Lettering: + ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA BRITT:OMN:REGINA

Unabridged legend: Elizabeth II Dei Gratia Britanniarum Omnium Regina

Translation: Elizabeth II by the Grace of God Queen of all the Britains

Engraver: Mary Gillick

Reverse

Crowned Scottish shield of arms dividing date, legend above, denomination below.

Script: Latin

Lettering:
FID DEF
19 53
W G
ONE SHILLING

Unabridged legend: Fidei Defensatrix

Translation: Defender of the Faith

Engraver: William Maving Gardner

Edge

Reeded

Mint

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

Comments

House of Windsor (1917 to date), Elizabeth II (1952-2022), Pre-decimal issues (1953-70).

The original weight of these coins was 2/11 troy ounce (87.3 grains). Under the Coinage Act of 1946, the composition changed from .500 silver to .750 copper/.250 nickel but the weight remained at 87.3 grains.

Two die varieties exist for this type - Obverse 1 from the plastic set issue and Obverse 2 struck for circulation:
Obv 1 Shallow portrait, I of LIZ at a bead, I of GRATIA between beads, : after OMN between beads, legs of N in OMN at beads,
R of BRITT away from truncation;
Obv 2 Recut portrait, I of LIZ between beads, I of GRATIA to the right of a bead, : after OMN at a bead, legs of N in OMN between beads, R of BRITT close to truncation;

Image above is reproduced with kind permission of Declan Magee and Numista member Sjoelund.

A special mint set was released comprising 2s. 6d. to 1/4d. ordinary business strikes in transparent envelopes (1,288,000 issued).

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Date	Mintage	G	VG	F	VF	XF	AU	UNC		Frequency
Undetermined
1953	20 663 500	$ 0.30	$ 0.30	$ 0.51	$ 0.78	$ 0.78	$ 1.60	$ 1.80		98%
1953	2								Matte Proof	0.4%
1953	40 000							$ 15	Proof	3%

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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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.

Past sales

Pictures	Sale	Date	Version	Grade	Sold price
	Heritage Auctions Wednesday & Thursday World & Ancient Coins Select Auction 232548 Lot 64166	20 Nov 2025	Undetermined	UNC	The lot includes several items.
© Heritage Auctions
	Heritage Auctions Wednesday & Thursday World & Ancient Coins Select Auction 232547 Lot 63198	13 Nov 2025	Undetermined	UNC	The lot includes several items.
© Heritage Auctions
	Heritage Auctions Wednesday & Thursday World & Ancient Coins Select Auction 232446 Lot 62279	7 Nov 2024	Undetermined	UNC (NGC PR65 Cameo)	USD 39.00 (incl. buyer's premium)
© Heritage Auctions
	Heritage Auctions Wednesday & Thursday World & Ancient Coins Select Auction 232303 Lot 63476	12 Jan 2023	Undetermined	UNC (NGC PR66 Cameo)	USD 89.00 (incl. buyer's premium)
© Heritage Auctions
	Heritage Auctions Wednesday & Thursday World & Ancient Coins Select Auction 232302 Lot 62503	5 Jan 2023	Undetermined	UNC (NGC PR66 Cameo)	USD 89.00 (incl. buyer's premium)
© Heritage Auctions
	Heritage Auctions Wednesday & Thursday World & Ancient Coins Select Auction 232130 Lot 65504	28 Jul 2021	Undetermined	UNC (PCGS PR65 Deep Cameo)	USD 99.00 (incl. buyer's premium)
© Heritage Auctions
	Heritage Auctions Wednesday & Thursday World & Ancient Coins Select Auction 232130 Lot 65503	28 Jul 2021	Undetermined	UNC (PCGS PR66 Cameo)	USD 104.00 (incl. buyer's premium)
© Heritage Auctions
	Heritage Auctions Wednesday & Thursday World & Ancient Coins Select Auction 232125 Lot 64518	23 Jun 2021	Undetermined	UNC (NGC PR66)	USD 77.00 (incl. buyer's premium)
© Heritage Auctions
	Heritage Auctions Wednesday & Thursday World & Ancient Coins Select Auction 232121 Lot 64439	26 May 2021	Undetermined	UNC (PCGS PR66 Cameo)	USD 71.00 (incl. buyer's premium)
© Heritage Auctions
	Heritage Auctions Wednesday & Thursday World & Ancient Coins Weekly Online Auction 232047 Lot 63434	18 Nov 2020	Undetermined	UNC (PCGS PR66 Deep Cameo)	USD 120.00 (incl. buyer's premium)
© Heritage Auctions