Commemorative Crowns and Five Pound Coins: Jubilee, Churchill, Coronation

Silver crowns are: those dated 1946 or earlier contain silver, and the 1935 Jubilee crown is half silver. Everyday commemorative crowns from 1951 onwards, including Churchill, the 1977 Jubilee and the five pound coins, are cupronickel and were struck in millions, so they are worth face value. Silver and gold proofs are worth more.

The everyday 1977 Silver Jubilee crown is not rare: over 37 million were struck in cupronickel, so it is worth face value. What collectors look for is the sterling silver proof, sold in a case with a certificate, and specimen coins in their original folders. Check the case and the mirror finish to tell them apart.

Usually not much above face value. More than 19.6 million 1965 Churchill crowns were struck in cupronickel, with no silver, so they are very common, and they remain legal tender at 25 pence. It was the first time a commoner appeared on a British coin. Rare proof and specimen strikes are worth more.

Yes. In 2015 the Royal Mint issued a five pound coin marking 50 years since Winston Churchill's death, sold in brilliant uncirculated, silver proof and gold proof versions. It is a different coin from the 1965 Churchill crown. Like other five pound coins it is legal tender but made for collectors, not circulation.

The 1951 Festival of Britain crown is cupronickel with no silver, and nearly two million were made, many sold in boxes as souvenirs of the festival. Boxed coins in fine condition are worth a little more than loose worn ones. It shows St George and the dragon and remains legal tender at 25 pence.

The five pound coin replaced the 25 pence crown as Britain's commemorative coin in 1990, first marking the Queen Mother's 90th birthday, and later celebrating jubilees, royal events and anniversaries, such as the 1997 Golden Wedding coin dated 1947 to 1997. Everyday versions are cupronickel and legal tender for five pounds.

The 2023 coronation five pound coin was sold by the Royal Mint in brilliant uncirculated, silver proof and gold proof versions, and a coronation 50p entered circulation. The base-metal versions were made in large numbers and are worth close to their issue or face value. Gold and silver proofs carry their metal value.

Yes. Pre-decimal crowns from 1818 onwards are legal tender at 25 pence, and five pound crowns from 1990 at five pounds. But they are not intended for circulation, legal tender has a narrow meaning, and shops do not have to accept them. Collectors and dealers are the realistic buyers.

Half crowns dated 1946 or earlier contain silver: 1919 and earlier are sterling, and 1920 onwards, including 1920 and 1921, are 50% silver. Low-mintage dates, such as 1905 and 1930, and coins in exceptional condition are sought by collectors. Half crowns from 1947 to 1967 are cupronickel and common.

Irish half crowns from 1928 to 1943 are 75% silver, and those from 1951 onwards are cupronickel. They show a harp on one side and Percy Metcalfe's horse on the other. Like British half crowns, the silver dates are worth more than face value, and coins in fine condition are collected.

No. Cleaning or polishing a coin scratches its surface and removes the original lustre and toning, which lowers the value of any coin with collector interest. Keep cased crowns in their cases, hold loose coins by the edge, and send them to be seen as they are.

Coin dealers and auction houses buy jubilee coins, but only silver and gold versions, proofs in their cases and pre-1947 silver crowns have value above face. Everyday cupronickel crowns and five pound coins are best kept or given away. We buy silver and gold coins and pay the same day by bank transfer.

A five shilling coin is a crown: five shillings was a quarter of a pound before decimalisation, which is why crowns are legal tender at 25 pence today. Crowns were struck for royal and national events from 1935, and the 1951 and 1953 crowns are the five shilling coins most often found.