Authentic Elizabeth I Shilling? - Coin Community Forum

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Hi everyone, I have had this Elizabeth I shilling for nearly 15 years, but I've never been able to determine whether it is authentic or not. It is 30mm and 5.67g. The surface and patina look fairly good, and I do not see any signs of casting. However, it does sound a bit odd when one flips it or tries to make it ring. It sounds a bit more like tin rather than silver. I do have a couple of authentic Elizabeth sixpence, and their surfaces and their overall sound of silver are unlike this shilling.

I acquired this coin ca. 2005 from a relative who received this coin in the 1990s from the widow of a very prosperous businessman in the USA. According to the widow, her late husband purchased a number of world coins during the 1960s-1980s. She was unsure whether it was authentic or not, and my relative who got the coin from her also was never certain. So, if this coin is fake, it is a fake that was made at least 40 years ago.

What do you think?

Edited by Archraz
01/11/2021 2:50 pm

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Nothing wrong with that. A perfectly decent 2nd issue shilling 1560-1561. Mint mark martlet. I'd say grades around fine, or a tad better.

Better portrait than most Elizabeth I shillings you see. Often it's almost worn flat.

You're right Rob. A very acceptable obverse. Better than most we see on these.

Edited by Hogarth
01/11/2021 7:15 pm

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Probably real, some very thin hammered coins have that tinny ring and your coin is very thin.

Even if this was fake and I doubt it is, it would likely be historic (19th century) or contemporary fake of the time (16th century) the Chinese faking mills did not real start up until the 1990s and it was around 2010 that they became well known. You have already explained the coins history back to at least 1990 - so you have an "alibi" for your coin.

I agree with the 2 above and they know their British coins! So be rest assured.

Edited by Princetane
01/11/2021 9:28 pm

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Hogarth,NumisRob,& Princetane - Thank you very much for your assessments. I really do appreciate it!

I'm very glad to hear that it is a 2nd issue shilling ca. 1560-1561. Of course, I have no intention of selling it, but just for the sake of my own records, what do you think the value of this coin might be nowadays? Thanks!

Edited by Archraz
01/11/2021 8:50 pm

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In the UK I would expect this to sell in the £80 to £120 bracket. Although the portrait is better than many, there is still quite a lot of damage overall and Elizabeth I hammered coinage is surprisingly common over here.
In the US it would certainly go for more - the historical interest and relative scarcity in that market always pushes these higher.

In New Zealand, such a coin would sell for around $200 which is about what Paddy B says/

PaddyB & Princetane - Thank you very much for the information. I do appreciate it!

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