What British Coins Are Silver and How to Identify Them

Silver played a significant role in British coinage for many centuries, forming a fundamental component of circulating currency, giving coins an intrinsic value. Understanding which British coins contain silver and how to identify them is of considerable interest today.

British Silver Coins Before 1947

For a long period, British circulating coins were made from sterling silver (92.5% pure silver and 7.5% copper). This standard was largely maintained for centuries, providing a consistent measure of value. Denominations including crowns, half-crowns, florins, shillings, and sixpences, were commonly struck in this high-purity silver. This composition ensured durability while retaining significant precious metal content.

In 1920, the silver content of most British coins was significantly reduced. From 1920 until 1946, general circulation coins, such as the half-crown, florin, and shilling, contained 50% silver, with the remaining half being base metals, often including copper and manganese. The inclusion of manganese in some of these lower-purity silver coins led to them tarnishing to a darker color over time.

Despite this reduction, coins from 1920 to 1946 still contained a substantial amount of silver, making them distinct from later issues. The threepence and sixpence denominations also saw this change, with some being minted in both sterling and 50% silver during the transition year of 1920. Maundy coinage, a special ceremonial issue, remained consistently struck in sterling silver.

The final year British general circulation coins contained silver was 1946. Any circulating British coin dated 1946 or earlier is a candidate for containing silver, either at the 92.5% sterling standard or 50% fineness. Coins from 1947 onwards mark a definitive shift away from silver in standard currency.

Identifying Silver British Coins

Determining whether a British coin contains silver begins with examining its date. Coins dated 1946 or earlier are the ones that may possess silver content, as later circulating issues were made from different alloys. This initial check provides a crucial filter in the identification process.

Visual examination offers further clues. Genuine silver coins, especially those with higher purity, typically exhibit a distinct luster when clean and can develop a dark tarnish over time. Modern cupro-nickel coins, designed to mimic silver, generally display a different sheen and tarnish less readily. The edge of a silver coin, if circulated, may also reveal the underlying metal composition where wear has occurred.

A simple weight comparison can be helpful, as silver is denser than the cupro-nickel alloy used in later coins of similar size. While precise measurements require a scale, a noticeable difference in feel might be apparent when comparing an older coin to a modern counterpart. This method is more subjective and less definitive on its own.

The “ping” test is a widely recognized auditory method for identifying silver. When a silver coin is balanced on a fingertip and gently tapped, it should produce a clear, resonant, bell-like tone. In contrast, non-silver coins, such as those made from cupro-nickel, typically emit a duller, shorter “thud” sound.

Another practical test involves using a magnet. Silver is a non-magnetic metal. If a coin strongly adheres to a magnet, it definitively indicates the absence of silver content. While a lack of magnetic attraction does not confirm silver presence (as other non-magnetic metals exist), it is an effective way to rule out many non-silver counterfeits or base metal coins.

British Coinage After 1947

Starting in 1947, general circulation coins transitioned from silver to cupro-nickel, an alloy primarily composed of copper and nickel. This shift was driven by economic factors, including the high cost of silver and the need for Britain to conserve its precious metal reserves, partly to repay wartime bullion loans.

As a result of this change, standard British circulation coins issued from 1947 onwards generally do not contain silver. This includes denominations like shillings, florins, and later, the decimalized 5p and 10p coins, which maintained similar sizes to their silver predecessors for a period. The familiar “silver” appearance of these post-1947 coins is due to the color of the cupro-nickel alloy, not the presence of actual silver.

Despite the absence of silver in everyday currency, the Royal Mint continues to produce coins with silver content, primarily for collectors and investors. These are typically commemorative issues, proof sets, and bullion coins, such as the popular Britannia series. These special issues are distinct from circulating currency and are specifically manufactured for their precious metal value and artistic design.

Modern silver collector coins are generally struck from fine silver (99.9% pure) or Britannia silver (95.8% fineness). These coins often feature specific hallmarks or markings that clearly indicate their purity, such as “999” or “958,” alongside other identifying marks from the Royal Mint. These hallmarks provide clear assurance of the silver content for these non-circulating collector items.