British Crowns Banner

British Crown Coins of the Monarchy and Commonwealth


Gold Crown, Henry VIII

Gold Crown, Henry VIII
In the Reign of Edward IV (1461-1470) the first coins of the value of 5 shillings were struck in the form of a half-ryal of gold and weighed 60 grains. No further coins of this denomination were struck until the reign of Henry VIII in about the year 1526. These were 22 carats fine and weighed 57 21/57 grains. His later crowns dropped in fineness to 22 or 20 carats and weighed only 48 grains.

The first issue of Edward VI (1546 to 1533) was of similar weight and fineness. His subsequent issues were of restored fineness but the weight was further diminished. Elizabeth I (1558 to 1602) issued crowns which were initially valued at 3s 4d. Later in her reign (1592 onwards) they were once again valued at five shillings. The weight had stabilized at about 43 7/11 grains of 22 carat fine gold.

First Silver Crown

First Silver Crown
Edward VI (1551-1553)
James I (1603-1625) issued crowns or quarter-laurels valued at five shillings. Additionally he issued Britain Crowns and Thistle Crowns which were of varying values. The former being 5s or 5s 6d and the latter being 4s or 4 ¾d His crown was slightly less than the preceding, and nominally weighed 42 66/67 grains, with the Britian Crown, Quarter-Laurel, and Thistle Crown weighing significantly less, though of the same 22 carat fineness. Charles I (1625 to 1648) also issued the Britain Crown, and his was worth five shillings and weight 35 5/41 grains of 22 carat fine gold. This coin was continued in the Commonwealth (1648 to 1660) at the same standard and weight. The last gold crowns were struck during the first coinage of Charles II (1660 to 1684).

The first silver crowns were struck by Edward VI in 1551. These are also the first English coins dated in numerals.


Edward IV
1464-1470
Gold Crown, Henry VIII

Henry VIII
1509-1547
Gold Crown, Henry VIII

Edward VI
1547-1553
Mary
1553-1554
Philip & Mary
1554-1558
Silver Crown of Elizabeth IElizabeth I
1558-1603
Gold Crown of James IJames I
1603-1625
Gold Crown of Charles ICharles I
1625-1649
Silver Crown of the Commonwealth of EnglandCommonwealth
1649-1660
Cromwell
1656-1658
Silver Crown of the Charles II of EnglandCharles II
1660-1685
Silver Crown of the James II of EnglandJames II
1685-1688
Silver Crown of the William III of EnglandWilliam III
1694-1702
Silver Crown of the Anne of EnglandAnne
1702-1714
Silver Crown of the George I of EnglandGeorge I
1714-1727
Silver Crown of the George II of EnglandGeorge II
1727-1760
Silver Crown of the George III of EnglandGeorge III
1727-1760
Silver Crown of the George IV of EnglandGeorge IV
1820-1830
William IV
1830-1837
Silver Crown of the Victoria of EnglandVictoria
1837-1901
Silver Crown of the Edward VII of EnglandEdward VII
1901-1910
Silver Crown of the George V of EnglandGeorge V
1910-1936
Edward VIII
1936
Silver Crown of the George VI of EnglandGeorge VI
1936-1952
Silver Crown of the Elizabeth II of EnglandElizabeth II
1952-Present