Pauline D. writes: I have a gold coin dated 1887. On one side is the crowned head of Queen Victoria with long hair worn down and the words VICTORIA DEI GRATIA BRITT. REGINA F.D. The flip side of the coin is a gold, navy, green, yellow, red and white enamelled shield with the wording HONI SOIT OUI MALYPENSE. The shield is separated into quarters and each quarter has a different emblem apart from the first and fourth (red) which has the same and looks like 3 lions. Is it gold? I would appreciate a rough estimate on how much the coin is worth please.
Sounds like you have a 1887 Great Britain silver shilling that has been enameled (the coin wasn’t minted that way). The obverse shows the Jubilee bust of Queen Victoria facing left. The legend VICTORIA DEI GRATIA BRITT. REGINA.F.D. (Victoria, by the Grace of G-d, queen of Britain and defender of the faith). The reverse shows the shield of England with the Norman-French legend HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE (Evil to him who evil thinks) [note: This is the motto of the Order of the Garter that was first used on halfcrowns of Charles I and was used extensively on the coinage of George III].
The value of this item is as jewelry not as a coin. Unaltered 1887 silver shillings are common and available in the market in average circulated grades for less than $10.
