British circulating · Storage guide
Best storage options for pre-decimal and circulating UK coins
Pre-decimal British coins each have their own diameter, so the right capsule depends on the coin. A shilling is about 24 mm, an old penny about 31 mm, and a half crown about 32 mm. Match the capsule to the coin you are storing, or check the coin size guide for the exact figure.
Half Crown (32 mm)
Penny (31 mm)
Halfpenny (25 mm)
1 Shilling (24 mm)
Coins around 22 mm in a framed display
Pre-decimal UK coins specifications, designs and mintages
Every figure links to its source. Primary sources are mint publications and Freedom of Information responses. Secondary sources are Wikipedia, catalogues and dealers, used only where no primary figure is published. Where sources disagree we show both.
Specifications and the capsule that fits
| Size | Years | Diameter | Thickness | Weight | Fineness | Capsule | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crown | 20th century | 38.61 mm | — | 28.28 g | Cupro-nickel | H-39 direct fit | [1] |
| Half crown | 20th century | 32.31 mm | — | 14.14 g | Cupro-nickel | H-32 direct fit | [2][1] Some Royal Mint pages give 32.30mm. |
| Florin (two shillings) | 20th century | 28.50 mm | — | 11.31 g | Cupro-nickel | Use the finder | [2][3] |
| Shilling | 20th century | 23.60 mm | — | 5.66 g | Cupro-nickel | H-27 black ring | [2][3] Some Royal Mint pages give 23.50mm. |
| Sixpence | 20th century | 19.41 mm | — | 2.83 g | — | Use the finder | [2][1] Some Royal Mint pages give 19.30mm. |
| Threepence | 20th century | 21.80 mm | — | 6.8 g | — | Use the finder | [2][4] Other Royal Mint pages give 21.74mm. |
| Penny | 20th century | 30.86 mm | — | 9.45 g | — | H-32 direct fit | [2][1] Some Royal Mint pages give 30.80mm. |
| Halfpenny | 20th century | 25.48 mm | — | 5.67 g | — | H-27 direct fit | [2][1][3] Other Royal Mint pages give 25.40mm and 24.50mm. |
| Farthing | 20th century | 20.19 mm | — | 2.83 g | — | Use the finder | [2][1] Some Royal Mint pages give 20.00mm. |
Designs
| Year | Design | Designer | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1948 | George VI obverse | Thomas Humphrey Paget | [4] |
| 1948 | Half crown reverse | George Kruger-Gray | [4] |
| 1953 | Elizabeth II obverse | Mary Gillick | [1] |
| 1953 | Coronation crown obverse | Gilbert Ledward | [1] |
| 1953 | Half crown reverse | Cecil Thomas | [1] |
| 1953 | English and Scottish shilling reverses | William Maving Gardner | [3] |
| 1965 | Crown reverse | Oscar Nemon | [5] |
Key facts and key dates
- In 1953 the Royal Mint struck ten circulating types: half crown, florin, English shilling, Scottish shilling, sixpence, threepence, penny, halfpenny and farthing, plus the coronation crown. [1]
- The pre-decimal crown shares its 38.61mm diameter and 28.28g weight with today's £5 crown, so both fit the same capsule. [1][4]
- The 1948 half crown was struck in cupro-nickel rather than silver. [4]
- Decimal Day, when the UK switched to decimal currency, was 15 February 1971. [6]
Download this data as a spreadsheet: pre-decimal-uk-coins.csv
Sources
- The Royal Mint: 1953 Elizabeth II crown to farthing proof set Primary
- The Royal Mint: 50th anniversary of Decimal Day pre-decimal and decimal set Primary
- The Royal Mint: 1953 historic coin set Primary
- The Royal Mint: King Charles III coronation celebration coinage collection Primary
- The Royal Mint: the pre-decimal coinage of Elizabeth II Primary
- Wikipedia: Decimal Day Secondary
Frequently asked questions
What size capsule fits the Pre-decimal UK coins?
The Pre-decimal UK coins comes in these sizes and matching capsules: Half Crown (32 mm); Penny (31 mm); Halfpenny (25 mm); 1 Shilling (24 mm); Coins around 22 mm in a framed display. Match the capsule’s inside diameter to your coin.
What is the best way to store a Pre-decimal UK coins?
Pre-decimal coins vary by reign and year. The coin size guide lists British coins by diameter so you can match older pieces precisely. A PVC-free acrylic capsule, either direct fit or black ring, protects the coin from handling, dust and air.
Still measuring up? Try the capsule finder to match your coin in a couple of clicks, browse the coin size guide by diameter, or filter the full capsule range by size and holder type. Buy 20 of any capsule and a matching storage tube is added free.
Browse more guides on the storage guides index.