John B. writes: I have a Silver coin, 37 mm diameter, weight perhaps 1/2 – 1 oz. GEORGIUS III D: G: BRITANNIARUM REX F: D: 1819 Profile of Geo III, facing right, with laurel weath. Reverse HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE George (on rearing horse, with sword) facing right slaying the dragon. Edge ANNO REGNI LIX. DECUS ET TUTAMEN. Any ideas what it is, and value? My guess, for what it’s worth, is a half crown or crown. Regards, John
You have a 1819 Great Britain silver Crown (4 crowns = £1 (pound) ). The coin has a total weight of 28.2759 grams or .925 silver (sterling) and contains .8409 troy ounce of pure silver.
The coin shows a laureate head of King George III facing right, the date, 1819, is below. The legend around is GEORGIUS III D: G: BRITANNIARUM REX F: D: (George III, by the Grace of G-d, king of Britain, Defender of the Faith). The reverse shows Benedetto Pistrucci’s design of St. George Slaying The Dragon. The legend around, HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE (Evil to him who evil thinks), is the Motto of the “Order of the Garter” and first appeared on the half crowns of Charles I (1625-49).
The edge is lettered and shows the legends ANNO REGNI LIX and DECUS ET TUTAMEN (“59th year of his reign” and “An ornament and a safeguard” – (referring to the lettered edge)).
Value range for these impressive coins depends on grade: US $ 30 – $500+
