George II or III Period Heavily Circulated Silver Sixpence / Shilling
Coin / Bullion · The Royal Mint (London, Tower Hill)
Pattern: Pre-Decimal Early Modern British Coinage
Type
Coin / Bullion
Maker
The Royal Mint (London, Tower Hill)
Material
Sterling Silver (.925) alloyed with copper for durability
Dimensions
Estimated 19mm - 24mm diameter; weight significantly reduced from original 3.0g (sixpence) or 6.0g (shilling) standards due to metal loss from wear.
Description
A heavily worn, 'slick' silver coin from the Georgian era. Decades of hand-to-hand commerce have smoothed the original strike into a flat, monochromatic disc. This item represents the hard-working currency of the 18th and early 19th centuries, often used until the design was completely unrecognizable.
Key Features
Extreme circulation wear known as a 'slick'; distinct dark sulfide patina; slightly irregular circular shape indicative of pre-industrial or early industrial minting.
Material & Composition
Sterling Silver (.925) alloyed with copper for durability
Finish & Decoration
Originally struck with a bust of the monarch (obverse) and heraldic shields (reverse); now exhibiting a 'slick' or 'slug' surface due to extreme circulation wear.
Hallmarks & Stamps
No visible hallmarks remain due to wear; historically would have carried the monarch's profile and year of issue.
Construction Details
Machine-struck using a screw press or early steam press (depending on exact decade).
Functional Features
Used as legal tender and a store of silver value; the smooth edges indicate it may have preceded the widespread use of 'reeding' or 'milling' to prevent clipping.
Handle & Grip Details
None; small circular planchet designed for pocket carry.
Craftsmanship Details
Displays the durability of sterling silver; despite the total loss of detail, the metal integrity remains, showing the quality of 18th-century metallurgy.
Authentication Indicators
The characteristic 'clink' of silver (high-frequency ring), the specific dark-red/black 'fire scale' or toning seen on old sterling, and the wear pattern which follows the high points of a typical Georgian bust profile.
Origin & Manufacturing
London, United Kingdom; Royal Mint production.
Era & Period
Late Georgian (1760-1820) / Colonial Era; characterized by long-term circulation before the Great Recoinage of 1816.
Age Estimate
Circa 1750-1815 based on the profile silhouette and degree of oxidation.
Cultural Significance
A symbol of everyday commerce in the British Empire and Colonial America, where British silver was a primary medium of exchange before local mints were established.
Condition Notes
Poor to 'Slug' condition. Surface is heavily oxidized with dark toning; significant metal loss along the edges; design is virtually illegible.
Value Estimate
$5.00 - $15.00 USD; primarily valued for its silver scrap content and historical curiosity rather than numismatic rarity due to condition.
Care & Maintenance
Do not clean or polish; the dark patina is historically appropriate for a 'ground find' or long-lost pocket piece. Store in a non-PVC flip.
Similar Pieces
Spanish Real (Cob or Pillar), George III Bullion Bank Tokens, or later Victorian 'Young Head' silver coins.
Interesting Facts
Silver coins were so scarce in the late 1700s that they remained in circulation until they were worn completely smooth, often for over 50 years.