My UK 1804 Set: Half-Guinea And Bank Of England Dollar

1804 was an interesting year for Great Britain, as not only it has to face the growing power of its chief rival-The formation of the First French Empire under Napoleon. It also has a economic crisis at home. With a massive shortage of silver coinage as they were hoarded in vast quantities and shipped overboard to exchange for gold as it was profitable to do so.

As a result, in 1804 there wasn't any silver coinage from The Royal Mint. As it only produced gold coins in the denominations of 1/3 guinea and 1/2 guinea. Instead, the Bank of England commissioned the Soho Mint (later became the famous Heaton/Birmingham Mint) to mint 5 shilling pieces that is also denominated in dollar using Spanish 8 Reales it captured during previous conflicts. These coins, later know as the Bank of England 5 shillings/dollar tokens. Were continuously minted from 1804 till 1811 (although they all carried the 1804 date). They are among the most unique pieces of British numismatic history.

Here are pics of an 1804 Bank dollar and 1/2 Guinea in my personal collection. The bank dollar graded MS64 and the 1/2 Guinea graded MS62 and are among the prides of my collection.

1804 Bank Dollar:




1804 1/2 Guinea: