I have some old coins that were brought back from my mother's travels to England. Some of these are very old and have King George on them. Is there a web sight that shows what the coins look like and explains the different denominations? We are going to London in June. I would like to use the more modern ones but am not sure if I should use the older. It would be a shame if I were giving away coins that were worth more than face value. Any suggestions? Thanks.

Hi m,

It is likely that since your mother's visit, the Brits have changed their coinage.

The GBP is now 100 pence instead of shillings (20) and pence (12/shilling).

A coin shop can tell you if the old coins have any value.

good advice from ira.
If you cannot get to a coin shop, try this website:
http://www.collectornetwork.com/

http://www.collectornetwork.com/shop.../itemid=498438

Per this, a King George III Cartwheel Penny is worth 5£ today, or close to $9.

I was thinking it was George VI, since the mother is just one generation back.

That King George III Cartwheel Penny would definitely be in the "very old" category - 1797.

The likelihood is you have George V or VI coins. These can't be used in everyday life.For a decade or so after decimalisation in 1971, pre-decimalisation coins could be used, since in many cases pre- and post- decimalisation coins were the same size. The same size, incidentally as coins in many parts of the current and former Commonwealth: the size of SA or Australian ten cent coins was for many years the size of a shilling in Saxon - or 20th century - England.

Sadly, the ancient British coin sizes have all now been changed, and only coins dated since 1971 are useable. Some 20th century Georgian coins have a value: but they've usually got to be in far better condition than normal circulation wouold allow.

It's not impossible you've got coins from the reigns of George 1-IV. In the 50s, 18th century coins turned up in change not infrequently: certainly at least twice in my family. Usually, though, most George III (the commonest) pennies you'd get in common circulation would be in terrible condition and pretty much worthless to coin collectors.

Should I bother to ask you if there is a coin store near The Royal Horseguards? I have several coins that are in good condition that are from 1941 and 1940 that are 3 pence. I also have a 1955 farthing that is in good condition also. A 1946 GeorgeVI that is a one shilling coin. Another is a 1941 GeorgeV half penny. The oldest is a 1936 GeorgeV one florin. I wasn't sure if that was even a British coin. I will sort through and take the coins that are older (and including 1971) to spend. Am I understanding correctly that the ones that are only slightly older will not be accepted? I have many coins from the 60's. As you can probably tell. I have never done this kind of thing before but I am a thrifty soul and do not like to have these continue to sit around if they can be used.

Wonder what I can do with my GDR and DDR coins. I guess maybe sell them on e-bay.

Here's an idea for the coins that can't be spent, and aren't in collectible condition: glue them on a picture, in a jumble. Then add a photo from your trip! I did this with some of my (numerous) coins from Ireland, England and France.

Good Idea KatelP,
I have alot of unusable but not valuable foreign coinage...I have some plain wooden frames from the craft store I have been meaning to paint or something, I can glue them around creating an interesting frame, thanks for the tip !

Oops, that's meant to be 'picture FRAME'!!! But I guess you know what I meant! I found some inexpensive flat wood frames in different sizes at Michaels, stained them, then glued on the coins. Makes a cool gift too!