Queen Victoria Jubilee Head Half Crown

United Kingdom / Great Britain · 1887

A large British silver coin featuring the 'Jubilee Head' portrait of Queen Victoria and a crowned cruciform shield of arms on the reverse.

Country: United Kingdom / Great Britain
Year: 1887
Denomination: Half Crown (2 Shillings 6 Pence)
Metal: 92.5% Silver (Sterling Silver)

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 May 5, 2026More united kingdom / great britain coins →

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Overview

A large British silver coin featuring the 'Jubilee Head' portrait of Queen Victoria and a crowned cruciform shield of arms on the reverse.

Historical significance

Issued to commemorate the Golden Jubilee (50 years) of Queen Victoria's reign. The 'Jubilee Head' design by Joseph Edgar Boehm replaced the 'Young Head' which had been used for 50 years, though it was later criticized for the small size of the crown.

Obverse (front)

Jubilee bust of Queen Victoria facing left, wearing a small crown and veil; legend: VICTORIA DEI GRATIA. Designer: Joseph Edgar Boehm.

Reverse (back)

Crowned quartered shield of arms within a Garter; legend: BRITANNIARUM REGINA FID: DEF: with the date 1887 below. Designer: Leonard Charles Wyon.

Estimated value

$25-$50 in circulated Very Fine condition, $100-$300 in Mint State (MS-63+)

What drives this coin's value

Value is primarily driven by preservation of original luster and lack of surface marks. Toning (natural oxidation) can increase appeal and value.

Grade assessment

Extremely Fine (EF), showing minor high-point wear on the veil and shield but retaining significant detail and some original luster.

Mintage & rarity

1,972,000; common date but highly sought after by type collectors.

Authenticity & counterfeit red flags

Weight should be exactly ~14.1g. Check for sharp details on the Garter motto and the fine lines on the heraldic shield. Watch for cast bubbly surfaces or seamless edges.

Notable varieties & errors

The 1887 Half Crown has no major widely recognized die varieties, though proof-like strikes exist from the Specimen Sets.

Similar coins

Often confused with the Florin (2 Shillings) of the same year, which is smaller (28mm) and lacks the 'BRITANNIARUM' legend on the reverse.

Care & preservation

Store in a non-PVC flip or archival holder. Avoid cleaning or polishing as it destroys the numismatic value. Handle only by the edges while wearing cotton or nitrile gloves.

Other united kingdom / great britain coins

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Could potentially be a Shilling, Sixpence, or similar denomination of British coinage.

United Kingdom (Great Britain) · Unable to determine the exact year from the provided image due to blurriness and distance. However, based on the design elements visible, it likely dates from the late 19th or early to mid-20th century. For example, the shield design with crown is present on various British coins across different reigns, including Victoria, Edward VII, George V, and George VI.

Difficult to determine precisely without clearer images, but likely a fractional denomination of the Pound Sterling, such as a Shilling (1/-) or Sixpence (6d), or possibly a Groat (4d) or Threepence (3d).