One Shilling (Scottish Version)

United Kingdom · 1963

A British cupro-nickel shilling featuring the first laureate portrait of Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse and the Scottish royal crest on the reverse.

Country: United Kingdom
Year: 1963
Denomination: One Shilling
Metal: Cupro-Nickel (75% copper, 25% nickel)

This report is AI-generated and can be wrong. Always verify grade, authenticity, and value with a qualified dealer or certified grading service before buying, selling, or insuring.

Identified August 25, 2026More united kingdom coins →

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Overview

A British cupro-nickel shilling featuring the first laureate portrait of Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse and the Scottish royal crest on the reverse.

Historical significance

Issued during the reign of Queen Elizabeth II prior to the decimalization of British currency in 1971. The UK minted two distinct versions of the shilling annually: an English version and a Scottish version, featuring different reverse designs and coats of arms.

Obverse (front)

First laureate portrait of Queen Elizabeth II facing right, surrounded by the legend 'ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA' and a beaded border.

Reverse (back)

The Scottish royal crest featuring a lion rampant within a shield, surmounted by the Crown of Scotland, flanked by the date 19 and 63, with the legend 'FID DEF ONE SHILLING' around the rim.

Estimated value

$1.00 - $5.00 in circulated condition, up to $15.00 in uncirculated Mint State condition

What drives this coin's value

Overall condition and grade, preservation of original mint luster, and absence of corrosion or cleaning marks.

Grade assessment

About Uncirculated (AU) / Mint State (MS) - exhibits minimal wear on the highest points with minor surface marks from circulation or storage.

Mintage & rarity

Common; mintage for the 1963 Scottish shilling was in the tens of millions, making it readily available for collectors.

Authenticity & counterfeit red flags

Check weight, diameter, and magnetic properties (cupro-nickel is non-magnetic). Counterfeits are extremely rare for this common series due to low bullion and face value.

Notable varieties & errors

Standard business strikes and occasional proof-like issues; no major major errors or rare die varieties are associated with the 1963 Scottish shilling.

Similar coins

English Shilling of the same year (which features the English three lions passant crest instead of the Scottish lion rampant).

Care & preservation

Store in a cool, dry environment using archival-safe holders or flips. Do not clean or scrub the coin, as this ruins its original surface and significantly lowers numismatic value.