Commonwealth (under the Republic) coin value guide
Commonwealth · 1649–1660 · Unite & Gold, Crown & Half-Crown, Shilling & Sixpence, Smaller silver
Denominations
Unite & Gold, Crown & Half-Crown, Shilling & Sixpence, Smaller silver
Reign
1649–1660
What a coin is worth depends on its exact type, mint, grade and provenance — the type tables and value factors below explain what drives each one.
About these coins
After the execution of Charles I, England was a republic, and the Commonwealth coinage (1649–1660) is unique in the hammered series: it bears legends in English rather than Latin and shows no monarch. The simple designs — the shield of St George, and the shields of England and Ireland together with the motto 'GOD WITH VS' — appear on gold unites, double-crowns and crowns and on silver from the crown down to the penny.
The plain, austere Puritan designs make these coins instantly recognisable and historically compelling. Silver halfcrowns, shillings and sixpences are the most collected; the gold and the larger silver are scarcer. The tiny silver pennies and halfpennies are charming small coins. Denomination, date, grade and provenance set the value.
Unite & Gold — value by type
The gold unite (20s), double-crown (10s) and crown (5s), with English legends and twin shields.
| Type | Rarity |
|---|---|
Unite / Double-Crown / Crown 1649–1660 St George's shield and the twin shields of England and Ireland; dated. | Scarce to rare |
Crown & Half-Crown — value by type
The silver crown (5s) and half-crown (2s 6d), dated, with the twin-shield reverse.
| Type | Rarity |
|---|---|
Crown / Half-Crown 1649–1660 Twin shields and 'GOD WITH VS'; the half-crown is the more attainable larger silver. | Crown scarce; half-crown more available |
Shilling & Sixpence — value by type
The dated silver shilling (12d) and sixpence (6d) — the most widely collected Commonwealth coins.
| Type | Rarity |
|---|---|
Shilling / Sixpence 1649–1660 Twin-shield reverse; dated, and attributed by mint mark. | Widely collected |
Smaller silver — value by type
The half-groat, penny and halfpenny — tiny undated silver coins without a mint mark.
| Type | Rarity |
|---|---|
Half-groat / Penny / Halfpenny 1649–1660 Small undated silver; charming minor coins of the Republic. | Collectable |
What drives the value
Type & rarity
Within a single reign, common types in collectable grade sit far below the scarce and rare types. Identifying the exact type is the first step in any valuation.
Mint & moneyer
Coins of rare mints, or with sought-after moneyer or privy-mark signatures, carry a clear premium over the common major-mint issues.
Grade & surfaces
A full, sharp strike with a clear portrait or design and legible legends commands the most. Weak striking, chips, cracks and corrosion all reduce value.
Provenance
A pedigree to a named cabinet or a recorded hoard adds both value and confidence in authenticity, especially for scarcer and higher-grade pieces.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a Commonwealth coin worth?
Dated shillings and sixpences are the most widely collected and accessible, with the silver crown, the gold and the larger pieces scarcer and higher. Denomination, date, grade and provenance set the figure — use the valuation tool for an estimate based on realised prices for comparable coins.
Why do Commonwealth coins have English legends?
Under the Republic, the coinage broke with tradition and used English rather than Latin — for example 'THE COMMONWEALTH OF ENGLAND' and 'GOD WITH VS' — and showed no monarch, making these coins unique in the English series.
Whose coins came between Charles I and Charles II?
The Commonwealth coinage of 1649–1660, struck under the Republic and the Protectorate after the execution of Charles I and before the Restoration of Charles II.