Posted 08/31/2009 10:49 am
G'day, the British "Crown" coin was valued at five shillings.
For a long time, a long time ago, the "Spanish Dollar", or Piece of Eight, circulated in Britain and its Empire.
For much of that time, the Dollar was officially valued at five shillings.
Indeed, for a while, the British counterstruck the effigy of King George III on Spanish coins.
In 1804, the Bank of England overstruck Spanish dollars.
As I understand it, there was a slight difference in the purity of the silver in the British and Spanish coins, but they were of very similar diameter and weight.
In the same category, you might include the French Ecu, which became 5 francs after the Revolution; and the Thalers of German-speaking regions.
The only thing more interesting than a big silver coin, is a big gold one.
Peter in Oz
For a long time, a long time ago, the "Spanish Dollar", or Piece of Eight, circulated in Britain and its Empire.
For much of that time, the Dollar was officially valued at five shillings.
Indeed, for a while, the British counterstruck the effigy of King George III on Spanish coins.
In 1804, the Bank of England overstruck Spanish dollars.
As I understand it, there was a slight difference in the purity of the silver in the British and Spanish coins, but they were of very similar diameter and weight.
In the same category, you might include the French Ecu, which became 5 francs after the Revolution; and the Thalers of German-speaking regions.
The only thing more interesting than a big silver coin, is a big gold one.
Peter in Oz
