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A pile of pre-decimal silver coins, dated before 1947

Sell Pre-decimal Coins : Pre '47 Valuation Calculator

Calculate the value of your pre-1947 silver coins.

Value your British pre-1947 silver coins

We purchase lots of pre-1947 silver coins. Dealers often offer an amount based on multiples of their face value, for example, 8 x face value for pre-1947 coins and 20 x face value for pre-1920 coins.

We're a little different in that we pay based on the weight of the coins you have. Many customers have trouble making a direct comparison and ultimately making an informed decision as to which deal offers the best price.

Our pre-decimal calculator allows you to value your coins in the way that's most convenient for you. We can value them by:

  • weight: Tell us the weight in grams, imperial ounces (your kitchen scales) or Troy Ounces
  • face value: Those of a certain age will still remember how to tot-up Pounds, Shillings and Pence
  • denomination: Sort your coins according to their denomination and tell us how many of each you have.

Sorting your pre-decimal coins

If you have a large quantity of pre-decimal coinage, you'll likely need to do a little sorting first. It's quite simple; here's what you need to do.

  • Take out any pennies, half-pennies, 12-sided brass three-penny coins, and silver coins dated 1947 to the present day. These coins contain no precious metal. We still buy these at £3 per kilo.
  • Pick out all the silver coins dated from 1920 to 1946 - these are your 50% silver coins.
  • The remaining coins should all be dated before 1920, containing 92.5% silver.

Generate your valuation

You can value your pre-47 and pre-20 silver coins using the calculator below. If you choose to value them via face value or denomination, please understand that we'll take our best guess at their weight, taking into consideration the wear & tear they'll have suffered over the years. Obviously, when we receive them, we'll confirm their final value once we've weighed them.

Pre-decimal silver coin calculator

Calculate Value By Weight

We have valued your coins to be:
£0.00
This is an estimation of what we will pay you, based on the current price of silver.

Calculate Value By Face Value

Coin Era
We have valued your coins to be:
£0.00
This is an estimation of what we will pay you, based on the current price of silver.
We have estimated the weight of your coins to be 0.0g. This is a conservative estimate, which assumes a 4% reduction in weight through wear and tear. This estimate will be corrected upon receipt of your coins.

Calculate Value By Denomination

Coin Era
We have valued your coins to be:
£0.00
This is an estimation of what we will pay you, based on the current price of silver.
We have estimated the weight of your coins to be 0.0g. This is a conservative estimate, which assumes a 4% reduction in weight through wear and tear. This estimate will be corrected upon receipt of your coins.

How to work out the face value of pre-decimal coins

  • Sort your coins into groups of similar denominations
  • Start with the highest denomination you have and start grouping your coins into £1 piles.
  • When you don't have sufficient coins to make £1, count up how many Shillings you have left - there should be no more than 19.
  • When you no longer have enough coins to make a Shilling, count up how many three penny pieces you have left - there should be no more than 3.
  • Voila! You should now know how many Pounds, Shillings and Pence you have!

Crowns

4 Crowns = £1. Their original weight was 28.28g.

Half Crowns

8 Half Crowns = £1. Their original weight was 14.14g.

Florins

10 Florins = £1. A freshly minted Florin weighed 11.31g.

Shilling

20 Shillings = £1. Their original weight was 5.65g.

Sixpence (6d)

40 x 6d = £1, 2 x 6d = 1 Shilling. A freshly minted Sixpence weighed 2.83g.

Three Penny Piece (3d)

80 x 3d = £1, 4 x 3d = 1 Shilling. A freshly minted 3d coin weighed 1.4g.

Your questions answered

We've compiled a list of our most frequently asked questions. If there's something we haven't covered, please call us & we'll be happy to help. Read all FAQs.

A freshly minted crown originally weighed 28.28 grams. Due to wear over the years, a worn example might weigh around 27.1 grams today. With this in mind, we would offer £16.53 for a pre-1920 crown.

When first issued, a half crown weighed 14.14 grams. Considering the effects of wear, a worn coin might now weigh about 13.6 grams. Accordingly, we would pay £8.30 for a pre-1920 half crown.

A double florin in mint condition will weigh 22.62 grams. Due to years of use, a worn piece might weigh closer to 23.6 grams now. Based on this, we would offer you £14.40 for a double florin.

Initially, a new florin weighed 11.31 grams. With the natural wear over time, a worn coin could weigh around 10.9 grams today. Given this, we’d pay you £6.65 for a florin minted before 1920.

When new, a shilling weighed 5.65 grams. Accounting for regular wear, a worn example might weigh about 5.4 grams today. Based on this estimate, we would offer £3.29 for a shilling from before 1920.

The original weight of a newly minted sixpence was 2.83 grams. Factoring in wear, a worn version might weigh approximately 2.7 grams today. Based on this, we would offer £1.65 for a pre-20 sixpence.

Originally, a silver threepence weighed 1.4 grams. After years of circulation, a worn example may now weigh around 1.3 grams. Considering this, we would pay £0.79 for a pre-1920 threepence.

A newly minted sixpence weighed 28.28 grams. Considering wear and tear, a worn example may weigh 27.1 grams today. Based on this assumption, we would pay you £8.94 for a pre-47 crown.

A newly minted florin weighed 11.31 grams. Considering wear and tear, a worn example may weigh 10.9 grams today. Based on this assumption, we would pay you £3.60 for a pre-47 florin.

A newly minted half crown weighed 14.14 grams. Considering wear and tear, a worn example may weigh 13.6 grams today. Based on this assumption, we would pay you £4.49 for a pre-47 half crown.

A newly minted sixpence weighed 2.83 grams. Considering wear and tear, a worn example may weigh 2.7 grams today. Based on this assumption, we would pay you £0.89 for a pre-47 sixpence.

A newly minted Shilling weighed 5.65 grams. Considering wear and tear, a worn example may weigh 5.5 grams today. Based on this assumption, we would pay you £1.82 for a pre-47 silver shilling.

  • Genuine Valuation

    The prices quoted are the rates we're paying. Beware of companies that send 'free' envelopes.

  • Same day payment

    Visit our secure counter and we'll pay you today. If we receive your gold tomorrow, we'll pay you tomorrow (Monday to Friday).

  • Easy Returns

    If you change your mind within 24 hours, we'll return your items free of charge.