Description
Denomination: Silver 3 shilling (also known as a token)
Period: Hanoverian
Date: 1816
Origin: Struck in London prior to the move from The Tower of London to Tower Hill
Condition: Fine+
Obverse: Draped and laureate bust of George III (second head). right. legend around
Reverse: Inscription in wreath of oak and olive. BANK TOKEN 3 SHILL. (in three lines) then 1816 below
Size and Weight: 34mm. 14.7g
References: Spink 3770
Features and Provenance: Due to the scarcity of this coin. it was considered prudent to have a second opinion on authenticity. The major numismatists at Baldwins were approached and they have agreed entirely with our attribution.
Britain had been at war with America. this howver was not the biggest drain on public funds; the war with France and Napoleon was far more costly. With the threat of invasion hanging over Britain there was a ‘run’ on the banks; the Bank of England coped with this by at first counter-stamping old foreign coins as the source of precious metals ran out. then by issuing token denominations. Once the Napoleonic wars were over in 1815 this was the stimulus for a re-coinage from 1816 when the Royal Mint moved to their new site on Tower Hill. Produced for only a brief period. these ‘coins’ are therefore extremely rare and very collectible; being the last date to be issued before re-coinage the numbers minted were limited.
Condition Summary. This varies with the age of coin and there are grades between
Uncirculated (U). As struck with no traces of wear
Extremely Fine (EF). Very slight traces of wear. all parts of legend etc present. visible and clear
Very Fine (VF). Some signs of wear on the higher parts of the relief. all parts of legend etc present. but maybe worn
Fine (F). Wear on the coin and parts of legend etc may be missing or not visible
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