Pre-decimal silver coins · Sell with us
Pre-decimal UK silver coins: what are they worth?
Old shillings, florins and half-crowns contain real silver. We tell you exactly what each type is worth and pay up to 99% of the live spot price.
Up to 99%
of spot price paid
Pre-1920
92.5% silver coins
1920–1946
50% silver coins
Free
returns if you decline
Live silver price
—/g
per troy oz
—
Spot value estimate
—
Estimate uses 50% purity (standard 1920–1946 coins). Pre-1920 coins are 92.5% silver and worth considerably more.
Request a free pack →Millions of pre-decimal UK coins sit in old tins, drawers and inherited collections, and many of them contain real silver. Coins dated before 1920 are 92.5% silver. Coins from 1920 to 1946 are 50% silver. We tell you exactly what you have, test everything individually, and pay up to 99% of the live spot price.
How it works
Request your free pack
We send a free pack with a prepaid Royal Mail Special Delivery label, at no cost and with no commitment. Mixed coins are welcome.
Post your coins
Package your pre-decimal coins securely. Hand your pack in at any Post Office. It is insured up to £2,500 from then until it reaches us. If your items are worth more, please contact us before posting.
Accept or decline
Firm offer within 24 hours. We separate your coins by type and silver content. Accept before 3pm for same-day payment, or we return them free.
What we buy
Common questions
Which pre-decimal coins contain silver?
UK silver coins dated before 1920 (shillings, florins, half-crowns, crowns) are 92.5% silver. Those dated 1920 to 1946 are 50% silver. Coins from 1947 onwards are cupronickel with no silver, and pre-decimal coinage ended in 1971.
How do I know the date if the coin is worn?
Send them anyway. We can often read worn dates under magnification, and even unreadable coins can be tested for silver content by XRF. Worn silver is still silver.
Are pre-1920 coins worth more?
Considerably. Pre-1920 coins are 92.5% silver, compared with 50% for 1920–1946 coins. Older coins such as Victorian crowns can also carry collector premiums in good condition.
What about commemorative crowns?
Commemorative crowns from 1947 onwards are generally cupronickel with no silver value. Crowns dated 1920 to 1946 are 50% silver, and earlier crowns 92.5%. We test and explain each type clearly.
Ready to sell?
Find out what your pre-decimal silver is worth
Free valuation. Transparent pricing by coin type. No pressure to accept.